Rotagilla earned high marks from Tyler Schiller, who termed the gelding a “progressive horse” after adapting seamlessly to a revised game plan for a stylish conquest of the Anzac Day Cup at Randwick.
Set to press forward, the four-year-old stumbled at the jump, so Schiller opted for restraint, allowing Rotagilla to unleash a powerful rally along the fence to dominate the 1800m showdown.
“It obviously wasn’t the plan to be so neutral and negative on him, but they jumped quick around us and I thought, on a turn if we’re pushing we’re going to be using a lot of energy,” Schiller said.
“He’s come through and won like a really nice horse late. The tempo helped him.
“He’s a progressive horse.”
Six wins from 17 starts now adorn Rotagilla’s record, with Charlie Duckworth, assistant to trainer Chris Waller, eyeing the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on May 9 as a future option.
“He is tough and consistent,” Duckworth said.
“We thought he was more one-paced, but he seems to have that turn of foot and a willingness to win. We’ve just got to work out exactly where he measures up and what his distance range is, how far he can stay, and that will tell us the answers hopefully.”
The $8 chance Rotagilla triumphed by half a length against stablemate Sir Dinadan ($12), as Polymnia ($4.40) ran another gritty race to be a short neck behind in third.
Annabel and Rob Archibald correctly bypassed Friday’s Tamworth Cup (1400m), won by Formal Display from their barn, to target Saturday’s First Australian Imperial Force Handicap (1500m) with Hellsing.
A blanket finish among three runners saw Hellsing collar Encap in the last 50m for his second Australian score, with Cristal Clear, another from the stable, filling third spot.
“I am delighted for Hellsing. He has been knocking on the door,” Annabel Archibald said.
“He’s had three seconds, two here and in the Muswellbrook Cup, and just the ground and maybe the class in the Doncaster (Mile) found him out.
“Back in grade, 1500 metres here I think is his sweet spot, and it was a nice ride by Tom Sherry as well.”
Their other entrants Depth Of Character and Port Lockroy placed fourth and fifth in the field.
Hellsing and Cristal Clear are both pointed toward the Scone Cup (1600m) next month by Annabel Archibald, gaining access to the Big Dance come Melbourne Cup Day.
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