Chris Waller, Coolmore will chase Golden Slipper glory again with dominant debut winner
High-priced colt Switzerland scored an impressive debut win for jockey Kerrin McEvoy at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images
Almost 12 months to the day since Shinzo made his race debut, trainer Chris Waller and owners Coolmore are chasing Golden Slipper glory again with the impressive Switzerland.
There inevitable comparisons began as soon as Switzerland burst between runners and dashed away to win the Join ATC Membership Handicap (1000m).
The Waller-trained Shinzo, owned by Coolmore, made his debut on January 28 last year, running third in the Canonbury Stakes before going on to win the Golden Slipper three starts later.
Switzerland has so much in common with Shinzo. He is also by Arrowfield Stud's super sire Snitzel and is raced in the same interests as last year's Slipper hero.
An ultra-impressive debut for Snitzel colt Switzerland under @KPMcEvoy for @cwallerracing and @CoolmoreAus ????????@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/YbXAnAWoAA
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 27, 2024
"It's amazing to think a year after Shinzo made his debut, we have another Snitzel colt with Chris Waller going for the Golden Slipper," Coolmore Australia supremo Tom Magnier said from the Karaka Yearling Sales in New Zealand.
"Chris has always held Switzerland in high regard and Kerrin (McEvoy, jockey), who has done a lot of work on the colt, also has a big opinion of the horse."
After Switzerland's debut win, TAB price assessors immediately slashed the colt's odds for the $5m Golden Slipper (1200m, Rosehill Gardens, March 23) from $26 to third favourite at $11 behind Storm Boy ($3).
Switzerland's emergence comes just days after Coolmore put in a huge bid to buy a controlling interest in unbeaten Storm Boy in a deal that could worth more than $50m.
It is understood confirmation of the Storm Boy sale is expected in the next 72 hours.
"It's a good position to be in if we have Switzerland and hopefully Storm Boy heading to the Slipper," Magnier said.
Switzerland ($2.70 favourite) was a little slow to begin but railed up to settle third on the fence before gaining a split in the straight and racing clear to win by a widening 2½ lengths.
Coolmore are on the verge of purchasing a controlling share in exciting Magic Millions winner Storm Boy. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography
The minor placegetters were unlucky to bump into such a promising two-year-old as Switzerland on debut but there was plenty of merit in the second placing of Castanya ($26) and also Bella Khadijah ($41), who was 1½ lengths away third.
Waller was also in New Zealand for the yearling sales but he spoke with The Sunday Telegraph post-race and conceded Switzerland has always indicated natural ability on the training track.
"I think it is well documented we don't ask too much of our babies early in the season and honestly we have not let this colt off the bridle at home (trackwork)," Waller said.
"But we start to get a bit of a feel how our two-year-olds are going from our good track riders and they have been telling me for a while now that this colt is very talented.
"He's a lovely, strong horse, very well-bred and the complete package but there's a long way to go before the Golden Slipper.
"It is important with our horses to see how they pull up after a race but that was good to see him win so well."
But Waller will be impressed by the feedback for McEvoy after the champion jockey guided Switzerland home a comfortable winner.
Coolmore Australia boss Tom Magnier walks Shinzo back after his win in the 2023 Golden Slipper. Picture: Getty Images
"I wanted him to be right behind the leader as I knew Timmy (Clark on Russian Roulette) would get there and then steady up with the rail out 9m," McEvoy said.
"I did have to give him a little kick along early to get as close as I could to the leader, so he was out of his comfort zone but then the pace backed off.
"He did a good job because he was galloped on behind and reacted to that a little around the corner but once he got into the clear, he accelerated well.
"Switzerland is not overly big but he has a good attitude. There's no doubt he has good ability and typical of Chris's, he will keep improving. There's no ceiling to him yet, he's an exciting horse."
Shinzo was a $1.8m Inglis Easter Yearling Sales graduate two years ago and Switzerland also created huge interest in the ring, costing Coolmore $1.5m at Easter last year.
Bred and raised at Arrowfield Stud, Switzerland is a son of the nation's four-time Champion Sire, Snitzel, and is first foal of his Canadian-bred dam, Ms Bad Behavior, a stakes winner in America.
Mas Bad Behavior is a daughter of Blame who will be forever remembered as the only horse to beat the great Zenyetta, famously robbing her of a 20th successive win in her swan song, the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
Arrowfield is offering a full-brother to Switzerland as the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in April.
