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The race towards the Golden Rose hits top gear at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday with a talented field of three-year-olds facing off in the traditional lead-up, and Races.com.au have our full 2026 Run To The Rose preview, betting update and tips below.
One of four Group status spring races on the Sydney card this weekend, the Group 2 $300,000 Run To The Rose (1200m) field is down to a dozen starters following the early withdrawal of Stormy Marco who will instead be stretched out further earlier on the day in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty.
Trainer Chris Waller still remains well represented in the meeting’s feature with four remaining Run To The Rose hopes including the short-priced favourite St Gotthard.
A lightly raced son of Snitzel boasting plenty of upside, St Gotthard has just his third start in the event stepping out as a new season three-year-old for the first time.
Last prep the class colt won his opening two career starts including a four-length demolition job in the Gold Coast’s Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic back in May.
He comes in off a winning Sydney trial, and the stable must be confident opting to keep master hoop James McDonald aboard the current $2.70 top elect in Run To The Rose betting at Ladbrokes.
The other best supported of the Waller contingent and the current $5.50 second favourite is Central Europe drawn well in barrier two for jockey Zac Lloyd.
Still a maiden after three starts, the nicely bred Frankel colt has been knocking on the door with a trio of placings starting back in February when runner-up in the Group 2 Skyline on debut by a nostril flare behind his subsequent Group 1 Inglis Sires’ winning stablemate Campione D’italia.
He went on to finish third to Warwoven only a length away in the Pago Pago before a good run fresh to finish third again, this time behind Chilly Girl, here at Rosehill in the Listed The Rosebud doing his best work late.
The Rosebud form has been holding up well since, which bodes well for Central Europe this weekend who will need the speed on to perform his best back up in trip.
Waller also saddles-up the equal 58.5kg topweights resuming at big odds with plenty of hype to come as the returning Group 1 Champagne Stakes champion Fireball ($46) and all-in Caulfield Guineas favourite Tron Bolt ($19) get further into their preps.
Toronado colt Tron Bolt has been receiving plenty of attention ahead of his campaign kickoff having won three on the trot last time in stepping up quickly in grade to claim the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) in Brisbane, and there’s sure to be eyes on him in the Run To The Rose late.
Under Focus meanwhile is the big Run To The Rose market mover heavily backed early in from $11 to $6 for trainer Kris Lees.
The son of Too Darn Hot faces his first Group 2 assignment second up off a sixth in The Rosebud from a wide draw and has the support of the punters for an improved effort.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Pago Pago winner and Golden Slipper performed Warwoven ($9) then rounds out the hopes under $10 Run To The Rose odds.
He should take great benefit from his first-up performance here behind the Slipper winner Guest House in the Group 3 San Domenico.
Taken right back having drawn a nasty gate for his three-year-old debut, Warwoven’s fast late splits in the San Domenico were enormous and from a better midfield draw on Saturday, jockey Rachel King will take him closer to the speed making him a standout danger.
For value, there are a few double figure fancies that are capable of an upset including Farnan colt Castillo King ($10) coming off a The Rosebud fourth, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott‘s last start Group 3 Up & Coming Stakes winner at the track Plagiarism ($19) back in trip and the always overlooked Music Time ($12).
All Too Hard gelding Music Time has been a revelation for Canberra horseman Gratz Vella who won three on the trot at home last prep including overcoming a wide gate in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes before shocking plenty at 40/1 to round out the Golden Slipper trifecta.
He proved his Slipper performance was no fluke when resuming with another third in the San Domenico, which Guest House took out in a new race record time, and even from the wide alley he and jockey Kerrin McEvoy can be there when it counts.
The 2026 Run To The Rose is scheduled as Rosehill Race 8 at 4:00pm (AEST) on Saturday’s 10-race card.
2026 Run To The Rose Tips & Best Bets
The Favourite: No. 7 St Gotthard
| 7. St Gotthard (4) J: James McDonald 57kg 11xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Not seen since winning to post a big 4 len win. Gold Coast G3 Ken Russell May 9 over 1200m defeating Silken Salute carrying 57kg at $2.40. On debut favourite; won by head Warwick Farm 2yo C&G Mdn April 15 over 1200m defeating Peyton carrying 58kg at $1.75. Undefeated colt with a devastating turn of foot, can go on with it this prep. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 4 Music Time
Best Roughie: No. 1 Fireball
2026 Run To The Rose Same Race Multi Selections
$27 (at time of publish) through Ladbrokes
- Top 3 – No. 7 St Gotthard
- Top 3 – No. 4 Music Time
- Top 5 – No. 1 Fireball
