Sheikh Mohammed's investment in Australia continues to thrive with Exosphere a dominant winner of the $1 million Golden Rose, a race earning a reputation as a stallion maker.

After being challenged by Press Statement for favouritism during the week, Exosphere was sent out the clear top pick at $3.10 by race time.

James McDonald produced the son of Lonhro from the pack in the straight and the colt raced to a dominant 2-1/4 length win over Speak Fondly, the only filly in Saturday's race at Rosehill.

"He some colt. Wait until he grows into his frame," trainer John O'Shea said.

"He is by this great sire Lonhro and he is in for a great season.

"A horse like Exosphere has great international appeal and you never know where he is going to end up."

In the immediate future, Exosphere will head to the Caulfield Guineas Prelude while trainer Gai Waterhouse will not make a quick decision on the runner-up who came to the race seven days after her win in the Furious Stakes.

"She is such a good filly," Waterhouse said.

"To be fair not many fillies run in this race and she has beaten all but one of the colts.

"The winner was primed for this and I loved the way she fought back after leading for such a long way."

The unfancied Sebring Sun who drifted from $15 to $26 finished half a length behind Speak Fondly, an effort which thrilled trainer Gary Portelli.

"He ran a great race," he said.

"He had to go back from the barrier and it was going to be hard to run them down but he didn't let us down."

Press Statement ($3.70) found himself with nowhere to go in the straight with his rider Tye Angland changing course when the runs closed.

The winner's stablemates, Shards and Holler, finished last and second last in the eight-horse field with O'Shea puzzled by their runs.

"I'm perplexed by what happened to them," he said.

"I was watching them and need to watch the replay to see how well Exosphere won."

McDonald said he sensed Press Statement was not going to be a threat to Exosphere.

"I was waiting and waiting and I knew Press Statement was in a pocket. He wasn't going to pick me up at the furlong," McDonald said.

"He's a super colt."

"I said to John I wished I drew barrier nine instead of one, but as it turns out you cant really worry about that stuff.

"I just let the horse do it and I just tried to sit there and look good."