The 2020 Golden Rose Stakes odds on the brilliant Robert Heathcote-trained Queensland Rothfire have firmed following a huge win in Rosehill’s Group 2 $200,000 The Run To The Rose (1200m) on Saturday from the confirmed The Everest contender.

Brilliant Queenslander and confirmed The Everest horse Rothfire was too good in The Run To The Rose 2020. Photo: Steve Hart.

It was a crack field of seven three-year-olds in The Run The Rose this season, markets dominated by resuming Golden Slipper winner Farnan.

But it was another Group 1 winning juvenile, Rothesay gelding Rothfire in his interstate debut who put the writing on the wall for a massive spring to come in both Sydney.

“Wow. Just exciting to have another horse like this since Buffering,” stable rep Mel Sharpe told the media post-win.

“I’m speechless to be honest. I’m just excited for what’s to come.

“This little horse, he just keeps defying all the odds and taking that next step.

“This is just the beginning and there’s just so much more to come.”

Ridden by veteran hoop Jim Byrne, the Group 1 J.J. Atkins champ missed a crucial lead-up trial ahead of his first-up run in Sydney.

It took none of the shine off of his fresh performance however, Rothfire happy to take the sit as rival hoop Hugh Bowman set a cracking pace reeling off incredible sectionals aboard Farnan up front.

Byrne allowed the short-priced fancy to do the hard work, Farnan out to a four-length lead around the turn.

“We always said if Farnan wants to cross us and lead, let him,” Sharpe said.

On the straight Rothfire started to give the pacemaker serious chase, closing fast down the outside before laying it down to Farnan and shooting clear.

It was a special win from Rothfire ($5) who was able to sprint off such a high cruising speed throughout, putting a notable gap on the Hawkes Racing-trained stablemates Ole Kirk (2^nd) and North Pacific (3^rd) who rounded out The Run To The Rose trifecta.

Recent winners of the Run To The Rose – Golden Rose double include Bivouac (2019), Astern (2016), Exosphere (2015), Hallowed Crown (2014) and Denman (2009).

Now all-in betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) held back at Rosehill Gardens on September 26 has Rothfire, already a proven elite level winner at the distance, in from $7.50 to $3 favouritism.

“The Golden Rose, I think honestly the horse has a lot more improvement as he missed that trial,” Sharpe said.

“I think it’s onwards and upwards.”

Rothfire is also the latest horse to secure a slot in the $15 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17 for Mieverest in the world’s richest turf race.

“Geez, that’s exciting isn’t it,” Sharpe added.

The gun youngster is now a $6.50 shot in 2020 The Everest odds – available in full here – behind Nature Strip ($4) and equal with Gytrash ($6.50).

Click here for the latest 2020 Golden Rose Stakes betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au

2020 The Run To The Rose Results

Colour	Finish	No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Bar.	Weight	Penalty	Starting Price
	1	3	ROTHFIRE	Robert Heathcote	Jim Byrne		2	58.5kg		$5
	2	6	OLE KIRK	Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes	Tommy Berry	1.5L	7	56kg		$31
	3	5	NORTH PACIFIC	Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes	James McDonald	2.5L	1	57kg		$4
	4	7	PELTZER	Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou	Kerrin McEvoy	3.4L	3	55kg		$9.50
	5	1	FARNAN	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Hugh Bowman	3.8L	6	58.5kg		$2.40F
	6	4	MAMARAGAN	John Thompson	Nash Rawiller	4.8L	5	57.5kg		$10
	7	2	KING’S LEGACY	Peter & Paul Snowden	Jason Collett	5.2L	4	58.5kg		$31

Table Credit: Racing Australia.