performance to the eye, it wasn’t a complete surprise to his team, who commented on the fact he had never fired second up previously, now displaying a 3: 0-0-0 record, a far cry from his stunning 5: 3-1-0 first up account. A decision was therefore made to keep Schwarz fresh, trial him twice at Randwick, bring him back to 1200 metres and tackle the Group 1 at The Valley some five weeks between runs. Looking to become the first horse to complete the Australia Stakes-William Reid Stakes double since Hareeba in 1995, Schwarz opened on the fourth line of betting but was well backed on race day to start a solid $5.50 third favourite, with the Soft 6 track clearly advantageous to those on the rail and in the lead. Partnering the horse for the first time, jockey Jamie Mott was quick to capitalise on the pattern and drove Schwarz to the lead from barrier five. She’s Bulletproof was surprisingly quick out of the machine from a wide gate, while favourite Jimmysstar was slow into stride and settled last from an inside alley. Arabian Summer and Maharba were just in behind the leading division, while Benedetta was beyond midfield and outside runners. Little changed in the order throughout the race, but as they approached the school side it became very apparent which horses were handling the track, and which were not. She’s Bulletproof began to flounder after attempting to pressure Schwarz in the lead, while Arabian Summer and Maharba were also spent forces as they got to the 400-metre mark. Schwarz railed beautifully, changed lead legs at the 200 and looked to be travelling well. The only danger in sight was Benedetta, who circled the field and began her descent on the leader. He began to shorten stride ever so slightly in the concluding stages, with Daniel Stackhouse looking for his first Group 1 on Benedetta. The mare tried hard, but it was all in vain, as Schwarz had established too far of a winning break on his opposition. Schwarz went to the line to the roars of the Rosemont owners below the steward’s tower, with Benedetta a game runner-up a length behind him. Jimmysstar was a fast-finishing third from a conspicuous last, and those three cleared out from the rest of the beaten brigade. Jamie Mott produced a rare winning salute, punching the sky as he went past the winning post – he knew this one meant a lot for more reasons than one. It was job done for team Schwarz in the most satisfying fashion, and although he will race on into the Queenslander Carnival for the Doomben 10,000, a career as a stallion at Rosemont Stud beckons before the year is out.
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