Schwarz is on the verge of filling the one missing piece in his career—a Group 1 triumph. Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton are hopeful that moment arrives as soon as Saturday.
Despite not yet competing at Group 1 level, Schwarz will have his first shot in the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
With 10 starts under his belt, Schwarz has secured five victories, including four at the Stakes level, two of which were Group 2 triumphs.
His latest success came in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 24. The Orr Stakes is the first of three potential Group 1 assignments on his radar, followed by the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 22 and the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 8.
“He’s only had 10 runs, won four Stakes races, two Group 2’s, and he’s always promised a lot,” Charlton said.
“First-up was the first time that we really saw an effort that could cement him a Group 1 over the coming weeks.
“We think he’s improving, getting better. He’s a lovely natured horse, physically great to look at, and we’ve got confidence that there is a Group 1 win coming in the weeks ahead.”
Charlton was on-site in Melbourne to oversee Schwarz’s gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday, marking the horse’s first experience on the track.
“He seemed to handle things beautifully,” Charlton said.
“Ellie, his work rider, was happy with how he got around the track, and visually it looked great.
“He’s pulled up well, we’re very happy heading into Saturday.”
Charlton added that Schwarz has thrived in Melbourne since his Moonee Valley victory, maintaining a strong appetite and even adding weight—signs that bolster their confidence in stretching him out to 1400m.
However, Charlton is keen on a more measured approach compared to the aggressive front-running tactics seen in the Australia Stakes.
“We’ll have to see how the race pans out, but from a nomination perspective, there doesn’t seem to be a Pride Of Jenni or a Buffalo River or something like that in there,” Charlton said.
“We would like to see him have a little less intent to see out the 1400 (metres).
“He was fresh and well going into that first-up run, so I would say that hit-out would allow him to come back half-a-peg, but we’d like to get him into a rhythm like he was first-up.”
