The Gerald Ryan-trained Trapeze Artist has re-written the history books by taking out last Saturday’s Golden Rose.
Trapeze Artist flew under the radar heading into the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday with all eyes largely focused on his more fancied stablemate Menari.
With Blinkers reapplied after a one paced fourth in the Stan Fox Stakes, Trapeze Artist was transformed, winning the Golden Rose by 4.3 lengths over Champagne Cuddles with favourite Menari third.
Trapeze Artist produced a Timeform rating of 122 for the win and in the process set a number of records which are expected to be long standing.
His 4.3 length victory is now the biggest winning margin for the Golden Rose, two lengths superior to the prior largest margin shared by Court Command (2006), Exosphere (2015) and Astern (2016).
At 40-1, the son of Snitzel is also the longest priced winner of the Golden Rose, eclipsing the 20-1 quote 2003 winner In Top Swing saluted at in the inaugural running of the event.
WOW!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 23, 2017
Trapeze Artist puts a gap in his rivals, causing a big upset in the G1 #GoldenRose. pic.twitter.com/tYJsblE9No
A talented two-year-old, Trapeze Artist won the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra with a performance assessed at 114 before improving by a pound two starts later when placing behind Invader in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ Produce (1400m) at Randwick on April 1.
Next up for Trapeze Artist is likely the Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in two week’s time, a path commonly travelled by Golden Rose winners.
The Golden Rose-Roman Consul double has been achieved in two of the past four seasons with Zoustar completing the double in 2013 followed by Exosphere in 2015.
While Trapeze Artist did put a sizeable margin on his rivals, there were a number of other runs which possessed merit.
Champagne Cuddles was strong late for second while Menari and Gold Standard were each brave, sticking on well after settling just behind a suicidal early tempo set by The Mission and Perast.
The fifth placed Assimilate caught the eye late in what could prove a strong Caulfield Guineas trial for the son of Sebring.
The Golden Rose has played host to a pair of recent Caulfield Guineas winners, the Team Snowden-trained Shooting To Win in 2014 and 2015 winner Press Statement.
The Gerald Ryan stable has commenced their 2017/18 in fine fashion, with Washington Heights another example of the form they’ve struck taking out the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m).
Again settled back in the field, Washington Heights peeled out widest into the straight and was simply a cut above his rivals, beating veteran Mighty Lucky by a half length.
His display returned a Timeform rating of 113, a pound clear of his prior master rating achieved when second in the 2014 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) won by Nostradamus.
Despite a tough run in transit, Daysee Doom was still too good in taking out the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m).
The victory netted the daughter of Domesday a new master Timeform rating of 109 and augers well for her chances contesting The Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in a fortnight’s time.
Daysee Doom sits three wide the trip and still manages to fight off stablemate Dixie Blossoms to win the G2 Golden Pendant at #Rosehill! pic.twitter.com/l1NKm6eHPq
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 23, 2017
The 2016 Angst Stakes was won last year by Dixie Blossoms who ran second in the Golden Pendant on Saturday.
Carrying 1kg more than Daysee Doom and only narrowly beaten, Dixie Blossoms returned a Timeform rating of 110.
Ace High thrived out in trip contesting the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m).
Leading throughout, Ace High recorded a Timeform rating of 114.
It was his first look beyond a mile and being by High Chaparral was always going to thrive.
That was tough!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 23, 2017
Ace High keeps fighting and gets the better of Sanctioned to win the G3 Gloaming Stakes at #Rosehill. pic.twitter.com/hEHwSuv64z
Both he and runner up Sanctioned were excellent and each put a big margin on third and back.
The Gloaming Stakes is the main lead up into the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in two week’s time which is where Ace High is naturally headed prior to a likely trip south for the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
The Gloaming Stakes-Spring Champion Stakes double has been claimed in three of the past five years. Dundeel was the pick of trio, achieving the feat in 2012.
Complacent (2013) and Vanbrugh (2015) followed in his footsteps.
The other Group winner through a strong Golden Rose Day program was Auvray who ran to 105 in taking out the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m).
