Schwarz gets narrow win at Rosehill in Missile Stakes

Tom Charlton and John O’Shea’s Schwarz won the  Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) by a head on Saturday at Rosehill Racecourse. The four-year-old has long been one of Australia’s most exciting runners, but he has not yet lived up to his hype.  
 
Charlton and O’Shea are hoping that this is just the start for their four-year-old stallion. Schwarz will take a short break before presumably moving up to the Group 1 level this spring. 

Schwarz finally delivers 

Rosemont Stud, Suman Hedge Bloodstock, and David Redvers Bloodstock purchased Schwarz for $1.25 million at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. This huge price tag came with huge expectations, which Schwarz has never really delivered on.  
 
Schwarz has three wins to his name and just as many flops. The four-year-old famously finished 13th in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) after the betting sites made him second favourite to win last June.  
 
With this win under his belt, many are hoping that can finally live up to the hype. However, there’s still reason to be cautious if you are a horse racing betting fan.  
 
Schwarz was a huge favourite for Saturday’s race. He ended up winning by a very slim margin thanks to an impressive sprint in the final 200m. We’ll need to see more convincing wins before we fully back Schwarz.  
 
Gerald Ryan’s Arctic Glamour finished second to Schwarz. Shezanalister finished third, half a length behind Arctic Glamour. 

Schwarz eyeing Memsie Stakes 

After finally proving himself at Group 2 level, trainers Tom Charlton and John O’Shea are keen on getting Schwarz in some Group 1 races.  
 
The new training duo are considering running Schwarz in the upcoming Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next month.  
 
“He’s a lightly raced horse. He only had one run as a two-year-old, so I think he is still learning and gaining confidence,” Charlton said after Schwarz’s Missile Stakes win.  
 
“We will take a breath, speak to the boss and the team, but there is the potential for a race like the Memsie or races in Sydney. It’s a long spring so we will just work that one out.” 

Trainers get first group win 

Schwarz’s win on Saturday was his first ever win at Group 2 level. For his trainers, Tom Charlton and John O’Shea, the victory was their first ever win in a Group race. 
 
The new training partnership launched in July when Charlton was promoted to co-trainer. The newly minted man downplayed the achievement after the race.  
 
Charlton said, “It’s great, but I don’t deserve any of the accolades. I am very thankful to John for the opportunity. I was in the right place at the right time.”