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Source: punters.com.au
Chris Waller provided a few morsels of info about his top-liners at Rosehill on Saturday, with G1 racing just around the corner.
When he speaks, we listen.
And while there’s even still a bit of water to go under the (harbour) bridge until next Saturday, let alone the spring, Chris Waller provided a few morsels of info about his top-liners at Rosehill on Saturday.
Speaking to Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Greg Radley, Waller said he wasn’t 100 per cent sure how many marbles he would hold in the G1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, but did hint ‘there’ll be a lot’ which was interesting.
He also addressed the report that Sheza Alibi could be Sydney-bound for the Winx Stakes, while also running through his horses that were sighted at an exhibition gallop at Rosehill on Saturday.
When asked how many he might have in the G1 Winx:
“Not sure – whatever’s ready to run will run, so there’ll be a lot.
“It’s just such an important starting point.
“Not many of them could probably beat a horse like Autumn Glow, but when you’ve got horses like Beiwacht … anything’s possible.
“They’re all well-prepared, they’ve been trialling for a number of weeks now, you’ve always got to expect anything, they’ve got to be ready to run a tough 1400m Group One level first-up.
“It’s an important stepping stone for them.
“Later in the week, we’ll have a seed, where we think what can win, what will improve with the run, what’s better suited to 1400m, things like that.
“Today (exhibition gallops) was an important stepping stone for me and the horse, to see exactly where they are, and seven days out from a very big raceday.”
On Autumn Boy
“He’s come back a more mature horse, he’s a stallion or an entire as they say – a 4YO colt.
“Mentally he’s in the zone, which is the first thing I wanted to see.
“He’s got a little bit stronger, he’s very clean winded and a very talented horse.
“Take away Sheza Alibi, he wins a Doncaster, he wins a Randwick and Rosehill Guineas, and that’s the horse you’re talking about.”
On Sheza Alibi maybe going to the Winx
“Be interesting, be a good race, won’t it?
“You’ve got to be prepared for anything.
“There’ll be a horse there ready to take them on (regardless if she’s there or not).
“They’re fit and ready to go, they’ve got to be ready for a strong 1400m first-up, so I’m ready for it.”
On Autumn Glow
“She’s well – it was great to hear James’ enthusiasm and excitement when he got off her.
“He said with each piece of work she’s done, the gallops, the trials, the exhibition gallop today, he’s felt the change.
“She’s getting close to gameday, and she’s in the zone.”
On Barnavara
“She broke rank from the gallop and took off past a couple of the others.
“That’s where she’s at – she wants to get on (with it), she’s a little bit busy.
“2000m no problem – I’ve got to try and train her to be an Australian 1400m, 1600m, then 2000m horse.
“You might see a gear change with her, but we know the talent’s there – but just harness that early speed a little bit.”
On Beiwacht
“He could well go there (the G1 Winx).
“He’s a Group One 1400m specialist.
“He’s run an amazing rating winning a Golden Rose, he won the All Aged beating the older horses.
“It’s his distance, so he’s got to be ready to go.
“Whether it’s there or the Memsie … we’ve got to decide ‘can he beat Autumn Glow first-up?’
“If he’s there lookout, because he’s there to win.”
On Buckaroo
“He’s great – we’re going to stick to shorter distances this year.
“It’s his breathing – he does stay a distance, but his breathing holds him up when he gets over 2000m plus.
“So we’ll keep to the shorter distances so he’ll go to the Memsie because he loves Caulfield and it helps me split them up a bit, but you’ll be looking for him in the Makybe Diva, the Underwood and those types of races, or he can come back here for the Craven Plate / Hill Stakes if we wanted to.”
On Campione d’Italia
“He’s really muscled up and matured as a 3YO now.
“He’s in for an awesome spring – the Golden Rose looks the perfect race for him.
“And then perhaps, shorten him up, bring him back for the Coolmore.”
On Lady Shenandoah
“She’s matured – that’s been the most noticeable change to all of my team – she’s now relaxed, she’s not busy.
“That’s a noticeable change.
“We saw it with Joliestar last year, she went from a very talented horse to a consistently good horse.
“That’s what I can see coming from Lady Shenandoah, she’s another one to throw in the Winx next week.”