Gatsby's Dominant in Rosebud

Mark Smith - Saturday Aug 17

Back from a twenty-two-week break, Aramco Racing's Snitzel colt Gatsby's blew past the favourite Tarpaulin at the 300m to earn a maiden stakes success in Saturday’s Listed Sydney Markets Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill.

That was impressive (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by James McDonald for Chris Waller, Gatsby’s was eased back in the field after being caught wide in the early stages.

Advertisement

Angled out to the centre of the track, the son of Snitzel put the race to bed with a burst of acceleration to defeat the progressive Justify (USA) colt Clear Proof by one and three-quarter lengths with the stakes-winning Deep Field colt High Octane back in third.  

Gatsby’s made a winning career debut at Canterbury in February before finishing fourth to Dublin Down (Exceedance) in the Group III Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill in March.

“He’s got a great future. He showed a glimpse of what he has in the autumn,” Chris Waller said.

“Thanks to the owners, we backed off and did not get too caught up in the carnival. We did test the water, and it made a man of him. He’s come back, bigger, stronger, and better.

Gatsby's looking a bargain buy (image Steve Hart)

“His biggest asset is he relaxes. He’s got a brain and works with you. He is a kid’s pony in the stable. All the staff love him, and he is a real teddy bear.

“He’s got a bright future, and the spring is looking good.”

A brother to the Group II MRC Blue Diamond Prelude winner Letzbeglam and stakes-placed Snazz 'N' Charm, Gatsby's is the fifth winner from six to race for the Forestry mare Miss Charming (USA).

Bred by Phoenix Thoroughbred, Gatsby was a $220,000 purchase for Aramco Racing from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Miss Charming is a sister to Grade III winner Forest Grove and half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Tout Charmant out of Grade II winner Charm A Gendarme (USA).

Gatsby's a $220,000 Inglis Easter yearling

Malua Bloodstock/Shane Morrissy had the final say at $140,000 for a sister to Gatsby's consigned by Widden Stud to the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Miss Charming (USA) foaled an Acclaim (IRE) colt in October before missing to Zoustar.

Gatsby's is the 146th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s flagship stallion Snitzel. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Sydney Markets Rosebud LR 1100m

Rosehill Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:04.61
1
Gatsby's
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Miss Charming (USA) (Forestry (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
2
1.9
Clear Proof
- 3c Justify (USA) x Crystal Fountain (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: C Schofield 55
Justify
3
2.1
High Octane
- 3c Deep Field (AUS) x Granny Red Shoes (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
4
2.5
Astapor
- 3c Tassort (AUS) x Black Mink (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Tyler Schiller 54.5
5
2.6
Shangri La Express
- 3c Alabama Express (AUS) x Sent From Above (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 60
6
3
Brave One
- 3c Exceedance (AUS) x Runway Star (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: J Ford 53
7
5
Tarpaulin
- 3c Harry Angel (IRE) x Shelters (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Zac Lloyd 55
More Reading...
G1 Aussie Pedigree Watch –Newly Minted
Pedigree does matter if you want to be winning races longer than 1200m, although in an interesting twist a colt bred on face value for speed is in fact from the family of Zabeel.
2027 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1881 entries for the 2027 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?
Unraced First Season Sires Trial Report
It’s been a pretty steady start to spring in terms of 2YO races and we are still waiting to see a first season sire post a winner, but there has been action aplenty at the trials which would indicate the pre-Christmas period is set to ignite.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 10
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century
It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
One to Watch – Mornington
A homebred for Seymour Bloodstock with an intriguing pedigree opened her account with a stylish win at Mornington on Tuesday.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Frankel Heads Juddmonte Euro Roster at £350,000
Fresh from siring outstanding young stayer Point of Law (GB) to win the $10m Group I VRC Melbourne Cup, champion sire Frankel will again top the roster at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte.