Trapeze Artist swings by rivals to spring 40-1 surprise in Golden Rose

Report: Australia, Saturday

Rosehill: Golden Rose (Group 1) 7f | turf | 3yo

After the odds-on certainty that is Winx a week ago, Trapeze Artist (Gerald Ryan/Tye Angland) provided a 40-1 shock when upstaging his better fancied stablemate Menari to capture the 7f Group 1 Golden Rose.

Down the field when last seen two weeks previously, Trapeze Artist produced a telling burst in the final furlong and a half at Rosehill to skip four and a quarter lengths clear of Champagne Cuddles.

Menari, who had landed Listed and Group 2 contests on his last two outings but was unable to go with Trapeze Artist in the closing stages and finished third.

Trainer Gerald Ryan believed the strong pace set for most of the race may have contributed to the result.

“I believe Menari was too close to a hot speed, but this lad was four wide the whole way and he’s beaten them easy,” Ryan told racing.com.

“I’m not that surprised. I’ve said for a couple of weeks that this horse has been flying under the radar and that’s because of the path I’ve taken with him. I kept telling the owners he was being aimed at one race and one race only and I thought he’d be top three.”

Ryan indicated Trapeze Artist could return next week for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, and said: “His work’s been bloody awful as always –on his work he wouldn’t win a maiden – but we got him fit with his prep. It wouldn’t surprise me if he came back next week for the Epsom.”

Angland was impressed with the performance, saying: "He’s very exciting. He had it won a long way out."

Full result