Rosberg to get look at Flemington straight

A debut winner in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 6, Rosberg is set to run in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on October 4. 

Trainer Clinton McDonald has then earmarked the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 1. 

In recent years jump-outs have been held at Flemington before the first two-year-old race of the season with a three-year-old jump-out arranged for later in October to give horses aimed at the Coolmore a look at the track. 

But, after consultation with trainers, including those based at Flemington, the Victoria Racing Club decided to bring forward the Coolmore jump-out to coincide with the two-year-old jump-outs on Thursday. 

VRC Executive General Manager – Racing, Leigh Jordon, said the trial for three-year-olds was open to horses targeting the Coolmore. 

"There was feedback, not just from outside trainers, but from internal trainers as well, who felt the trial would be better this week," Jordon said. 

McDonald said it was important not only for Rosberg, but also punters, for the colt to get a look at the Flemington straight. 

"It will be good for the horse and the punters to see him down the straight before he goes there," McDonald said. 

"It's important, not just for him, but every horse. It's big prize money on offer and there is a lot of money invested on the punt." 

McDonald took Rosberg to Caulfield during the week for a gallop. 

He said the colt had done so well since his debut win that he needed a trip away from Cranbourne. 

"He's a colt that doesn't leave anything in the feed bin, carries good condition and we just need to stay on top of him," McDonald said. 

"The more that we do with a horse, especially one like him that is so laid-back, they keep learning, and we have to speed up the process. 

"He is a little bit behind in race starts as to the opposition that he will be facing, so the more that we do with him, and teach him, the better he will be for it." 

Rosberg holds an entry for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday and the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 11, but McDonald said the colt would remain on his original path of the Danehill Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes. 

"He was probably one run too short for those, so we'll just stick with the plan that we've got," McDonald said.