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As Chris Waller’s headline acts prepare to launch their spring campaigns in Sydney over the coming weeks, the trainer’s Melbourne team made an emphatic early-season statement with a winning treble at Flemington on Saturday.
Leading home the three-timer was talented Irish import Alward who announced himself as a stayer on the rise with a dominant win over 2000m, his first victory since arriving on Australian shores.
Stable representative Jo Taylor said connections had been patient with the son of Aqlaam and is confident he will continue to improve as he steps out over further ground.
“He showed us quite a bit of ability early on but we tipped him out and brought him back in for this preparation,” Taylor said.
“He’s certainly not showing any signs of stopping so in terms of getting to 2200m or 2400m, I don’t see that being any problem.”
Jockey Michael Walker, who was in the winners’ stall for the third consecutive day after success at Bairnsdale and Geelong, said the three-length win over Electric Fusion and Crocodile Rock justified his pre-race efforts to ride the gelding at 54.5kg.
“The horse won really easy in the end, when he let go he showed a good turn of foot,” Walker said.
“I did it today (rode at 54.5kg) because I trusted what Charlie and Chris said that he would win. And, Chris Waller is a champion trainer so I never doubted him.”
Waller’s decision to run Jaminzah and Wayanka off a seven-day back-up also paid dividends with the pair saluting in their respective races on Saturday.
Jaminzah powered home down the middle of the track under Stephen Baster to post a decisive win over 1700m, reeling off the final 400m in a slick 22.65, while Damien Oliver plotted an inside run on Wayanka to get the spoils over 1400m. – Racing.com