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Assuring his place on the future star studded Coolmore stallion roster, super talented colt Switzerland (3c Snitzel x Ms Bad Behavior, by Blame) put the seal on his status as the best sprinting colt of his generation when winning the $2million Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, Switzerland won three of four starts last season at two winning the Group II ATC Todman Stakes and then showed he was ready for a peak performance when racing to a dominant win in the Group II ATC Roman Consul Stakes last month.
A $1.5million Inglis Easter purchase for Tom Magnier from the Arrowfield draft, Switzerland proved his worth at the highest level when exploding clear of his rivals to win by nearly three lengths over brilliant filly Bellatrix Star with Everest place-getter Growing Empire in third place dead heating with Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot.
His time of 1:08.30 seconds was quicker than the mighty Coolmore owned colt Home Affairs clocked when winning the Coolmore in 2021 in a slick 1.08.73 seconds.
“For the colts, this is the race you need to win. So I’m privileged to be training these types of horses because I didn’t get them when I started, but now it’s a privilege,” said Chris Waller.
“I could see he jumped well, he settled well, James was just sitting on it quietly and that was the pre-race plan. Be where he’s comfortable. It was as simple as that.
“Well, the beauty of winning a Group One race, it takes a little bit of pressure off. We’ve got to just now maintain his value, so logically, races like the Newmarket and Royal Ascot would be in our consideration.”
James McDonald was thrilled to be reunited with Switzerland having not ridden him since last season.
“This is one of the nicest colts I’ve sat on for a while. He’s been promising to do that,” he said.
“He’d come out so alertly. Mind was straight on the job, and I’m absolutely delighted for him, delighted for the connections, and I’ve got an absolute star colt on my hands.”
Switzerland will eventually become the third son of champion sire Snitzel on the Coolmore roster joining Best of Bordeaux and Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.