Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Hands up if you’re a jockey that can ride 48kg.

Moments after Trapeze Artist’s upset win in the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m), trainer Gerald Ryan sprung another surprise by announcing the colt could back up in next week’s Epsom Handicap.

And despite being sent out a $41 chance in the Rose, Trapeze Artist is now the third favourite at $8 for the Randwick feature mile.

Most people could see trainer Gerald Ryan winning the Golden Rose with a Snitzel colt but most attention was on $2.40 favourite Menari.

“I said he’d run top three. He’s beaten them easily,’’ Ryan said of Trapeze Artist.

“No-one ever takes any notice of him. The only one who has talked him up is me and no-one listens to me.

“Don’t be surprised if this horse backs up next week with 48kg on his back.’’

While Menari was put into a perfect spot by Josh Parr from his awkward alley, Trapeze Artist was forced to do it tough with jockey Tye Angland tracking wide.

The stablemates made their runs together and it was Trapeze Artist that surged away late with Menari holding third as the filly Champagne Cuddles cut him out of second place.

Ryan, or Parr, could offer no real excuse for Menari other than he didn’t run out the 1400m.

“(Menari) was too close on a hot speed but take nothing away from the winner he was four wide all the way,’’ Ryan said.

“I’ve been telling everyone he’s been flying under the radar because of the path I’ve taken with him.

“Since his run a fortnight ago his coat has come good, his work has been bloody terrible as usual. On his work he wouldn’t win a maiden.

“Third-up last time I put blinkers on him in the Black Opal and he peaked. They say history doesn’t repeat.’’

It was Ryan’s first win in the Golden Rose and also the first for Angland who said the win went some way to making up for a couple of previous defeats in the race.

Angland’s best result in the race previously was a close second on Scissor Kick in 2014.

“It’s the first time I have ridden him. I got onto Menari’s back from an awkward gate due to nice speed in the race,’’ he said.

“I actually had to pull off his back because I was going too good.

“This race has been a bit of a killer for me. I was caught three and four wide on Scissor Kick and got run down late by Hallowed Crown and on Press Statement we had no luck, so it’s good to change that luck today.”

Check out the replays and results for Rosehill Gardens