The timing might not have been on his side for a tilt at The Everest, but Switzerland still has unfinished business this spring.
The Chris Waller-trained colt was an impressive last-start winner of the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes, which led to speculation that he could secure a last-minute slot for lucrative sprint race.
“If it wasn’t a seven-day back-up, he would have run in The Everest, it’s as simple as that,” Waller said.
Instead, Switzerland has travelled down to Melbourne to contest the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Victoria Derby Day next Saturday. It’s a race that Waller has won five times before, including with star colts Zoustar, Brazen Beau and Home Affairs.
“He’s right up there with the best of them, simple as that,” Waller replied when asked to compare Switzerland with his previous Coolmore winners.
“A lot of the other colts sort of announced themselves in the race, where he’s shown that he’s certainly got some pretty good talent.
“He’s a quick horse, but he does things right, he can settle, so he’s pretty versatile.
“He’s good enough to win the race.”
Until now, Switzerland has raced exclusively in Sydney, so Waller took the opportunity on Friday morning to give him a jumpout up the Flemington straight, where he had James McDonald in the saddle.
“He was pretty good,” the Melbourne Cup-winning trainer said.
“James was very pleased; he said the best part of his work was late and he had a good look. He’s a very talented colt, coming to Melbourne with some good Sydney winning form and he’s back to his best.”
As well as Switzerland, Waller will saddle up Gatsby’s in the Coolmore, with the chestnut contesting the same jump out as his stable mate.
WATCH: Switzerland and Gatsby’s jumping out at Flemington
A decision is still pending on Private Life’s next start and Waller indicated the G1 Champions Sprint on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival could be an option for the Caulfield Guineas winner, instead of heading to the Coolmore against his own age group.
Private Life jumped out on Friday morning in the heat after Switzerland and Gatsby’s and had Damian Lane guiding him through the gallop.
“We might take on the older horses on the last day and it would also allow me to keep Switzerland and Private Life apart, which are owned by very similar ownership,” Waller said.
“He’s won the Group 1 race, and it gives us an extra week … but this morning’s workout was pretty good. I was pretty happy with the way Damian was sitting over the last 100m, he was travelling well.
“He’s a really, really good colt, I know he got under everyone’s guard in the Caulfield Guineas, but he’s always been on our radar as a very talented horse.”
Waller’s decision to head to a race along Flemington’s straight course with Private Life has been made with a view to his possible goals in 2025.
“The beauty of running in the straight is it opens up so many options in the autumn. Firstly, the Lightning, the Newmarket and then of course Royal Ascot,” he said.
WATCH: Private Life’s jumpout
Switzerland is at $4.60 in Sportsbet’s market for the Coolmore Stud Stakes ahead of Private Life at $17 and Gatsby’s at $21.