Trained by John O’Shea & Tom Charlton and owned by Rosemont Stud & the Victorian Alliance, Schwarz put the writing on the wall in a recent barrier trial win at Randwick, cruising to the line nearly four lengths clear of Yiska who also won his subsequent first up start on the weekend. It was an easy steer on Friday night for Victoria’s leading rider Blake Shinn, who was allowed to cross initial leading pair Semillion and Apache Song and find the front under his own steam, before kicking away at the 400-metre mark for a most impressive win, with Steparty and Apache Chase filling the minor placings. “It was a strong, dominant performance and let’s hope it’s his time to try take on the best in the country and break through at the top level”, assistant trainer Tom Charlton told us. The dominant victory by Schwarz was also a career personal best on the Form King ratings scale. First up last preparation he ran a rating of 96.8 when winning the Group 2 Missile Stakes, and on Friday night he was able to lift that to 99.3 at The Valley, improving just over a length. If he is to beat Mr Brightside and Another Wil in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes next start at Caulfield, he will likely need to improve again to a 100+ figure, while also taking his form to 1400 metres. The Group 1 win is now the only missing piece on what is becoming a decorated resume, but potential success at the top flight would be of great importance when he is retired to stud. “Well he’s got the pedigree, the looks and a Group 1 would really top off his CV ahead of stallion duties one day,” Charlton said. Schwarz was a $1.25 million purchase at the 2022 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, and could have just three more starts in his career before he stands at stud. John O’Shea told Racing.com he will start in the CF Orr Stakes on 8 February at Caulfield, before potentially coming back to Sydney for the Canterbury Stakes on 8 March.
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