Schwarz to muscle up in Doomben 10,000

By Glenn Davis

The training partnership of John O'Shea and Tom Charlton is hoping the form line from the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley stacks up in the Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.

The Sydney-trained Schwarz will join an elite group if he can repeat the feat of sprinters who have won the Doomben 10,000 and William Reid double since the Group 1 Brisbane feature switched to Weight for Age in 1997.

Apache Cat achieved the feat in successive years in 2008 and 2009 while the Tony Gollan-trained Spirit Of Boom was successful in both races in 2014.

A handful of others have used the William Reid Stakes as a lead-up to the Doomben 10,000 including Melbourne sprinter Bel Esprit, who won in 2003, while last year’s Doomben 10,000 winner Bella Nipotina also ran in the William Reid when she finished fourth to Imperatriz.

A winner of the Group 2 Missile Stakes at Randwick last year and the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley in January, Schwarz is a $7 chance in the latest Doomben 10,000 markets.

Co-trainer O’Shea is hopeful Schwarz can follow William Reid Stakes history in his Doomben 10,000 swansong despite an awkward barrier of 11.

“The barrier is okay and it’s better than one,” O’Shea said.

“Drawing inside doesn’t suit his racing pattern and his work has been fantastic.

“The form out of the William Reid has been exceptional so he’s a chance of winning another Group 1.”

Schwarz was a $1.25 million yearling buy as a yearling and was a multiple stakes-winner before claiming his maiden Group 1 win in the William Reid in March.

O’Shea has booked Craig Williams to partner Schwarz in his final race before retiring to stand at stud next season.

“Saturday’s race is very interesting.” O’Shea said.

“He’s got very good form and his performance in the William Reid stands him in good stead for any Group 1 race in Australia at the moment.

“We’re happy with his draw and there’s genuine tempo out wide from Overpass and a few others, so they won’t be loafing.

“It’ll be up to Craig to get him out and across to get a spot, so he’ll have every opportunity.” 

Williams will be shooting for his third straight Doomben 10,000 victory following wins on Giga Kick in 2023 and last year on Bella Nipotina.

O’Shea knows what it takes to win a Doomben 10,000 after Sea Siren edged out champion Queenslander Buffering when it was run over 1350 metres in 2012.

Sea Siren also went on to finish second to the Peter Snowden-trained Epaulette in the Doomben 10,000 in 2013.

“I was probably more confident going into that race with Sea Siren as she was a progressive filly and at the time Buffering hadn’t won a Group 1,” he said.

“He (Buffering) was a knockabout Queensland sprinter at the time, but he went on to be a champion and won seven Group 1 races.”