“It’s special”.
It’s little wonder Cranbourne trainer Clinton McDonald was keen to hand out the accolades after Rosberg‘s debut win in the Listed McKenzie Stakes.
McDonald had to cop watching his former top prospect Angel Capital win the previous race for new trainer Chris Waller but Rosberg indicated he could be an adequate replacement with his dynamic win.
“It’s a bit gut-wrenching to see Angel Capital but to have this horse is something special,” McDonald said.
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Few horses do what Rosberg did under jockey Jamie Melham, overcoming a tricky passage inside horses to the home turn to post a stirring stakes win on debut.
Not even McDonald’s pin-up horse Weekend Hussler, who was trained by his late father Ross, managed to win a stakes race on debut, going down in a Sale maiden on debut.
Weekend Hussler went on to win seven Group 1 races, including a Caulfield Guineas and Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring of 2007.
McDonald said Rosberg had similar ability to Weekend Hussler.
ROSBERG 🏎️
What a debut! Rosberg motors home to win the McKenzie Stakes and Clinton McDonald has another smart one on his hands👏@cmcdonaldracing@jamieleemelhampic.twitter.com/gJNDAAtYV8
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 6, 2025
“He’s a horse that, you should never compare, but he does special things that he (Weekend) Hussler used to do at home,” McDonald said.
Melham said the Deep Field colt showed only a fraction of his ability.
She said Rosberg did not enjoy racing inside horses but surged home in the last 150m despite having something in reserve on the line.
“He’s a weapon. He really is,” Melham said.
“We know he’s a good horse, but he still does not know what he’s doing.
“He hated being on the rail inside those horses today and still, once he got out, then he let down but he was still only half of what I think this horse is.”
McDonald said Rosberg would probably have his next start in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight in October before tackling the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Victoria Derby Day.
Bookies immediately promoted Rosberg to the top of Coolmore Stud Stakes betting at $6.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Ex-Qld filly makes her mark in Melbourne
– Gilbert Gardiner
Queensland export Alpha Sofie opened her Victorian account with a stylish Listed Atlantic Jewel (1200m) victory at The Valley on Saturday.
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained settled midfield and hunted along the rail under jockey Zac Spain to dominate the fillies sprint feature.
Custom, Salty Pearl and Miss Celine capitalised closed off nicely from the back to fill the minors in a race run to suit the backmarkers.
Alpha Sofie joined Moody-Coleman yard last month, having won two of three in the Sunshine State.
“She’s a filly that’s done really well in her first couple of starts in Queensland, (Jason) Edwards stable up there did a fantastic job with her, and they sent her down to us in brilliant order,” Coleman said.
“Really, all credit goes to them. We’ve only had her for a short space of time and she’s had a few nice pieces of work leading into this, including a jumpout at Pakenham.
“We’ve been really pleased with the work that she’s done, but to see her come here and do it today, it takes it to another level.”
Sofie’s a star!
The Queenslander comes down south and proves too good in the Atlantic Jewel ⭐@lil_spaino96@moodyracingpgm@kscolemanpic.twitter.com/SXAvaHrKqy
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 6, 2025
Alpha Sofie could be aimed at the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 27 at Sandown.
“I’d say first impressions, hopefully there’s enough horse there still that we can go on with it and maybe look to head towards a (Thousand) Guineas Prelude if she does well after today,” Coleman said.
Spain summed up the race nicely and got luck – rails run – when he needed.
“I just needed a bit of room from 400 and there was plenty back to the inside,” Spain said.
“Once I let her stride, gee, she quickened up good underneath me and when the run came she was she was electric.
“She’s only got to improve with that run under her belt in Melbourne as well.”
Unplaced favourite Ole Dancer, a stablemate of the winner, snagged back to last from the wide draw and had nothing to cart her into the race.
The talented filly finished off solidly late to run fifth.