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Source: racenet.com.au
Emerging juvenile Omolong might be only tiny but boy does he pack a killer punch.
Champion trainer Chris Waller was quick to put an audacious spring campaign on the table for the Yulong-owned son of Extreme Choice following his devastating victory at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The slashing win in the Thank You ATC Members Handicap (1100m) followed his eye-catching debut success at Warwick Farm on June 24.
Both wins came in much the same fashion, settling in the second half of the field before unleashing a turn of foot which exhibited all the hallmarks of measuring up in much better grade.
And it is a stallion-making race deep into the spring that Waller has loosely earmarked for the $850,000 Magic Millions Yearling buy.
“A race like the Coolmore (Stud Stakes) later in the spring would be ideal,” Waller said.
“But obviously there’s a lot of improvement and maturity to come to get to that.
“He’s got a very bright future. Still very raw and developing so there’s a lot of upside to him.”
A $1.90 favourite on race morning, Omolong drifted all the way to $3.10 at jump time in response to a flood of money for the Bjorn Baker-trained debutant Kotor.
But while Omolong lost the race for favouritism, it was a very different story on the track, with Kotor overdoing things out in front before fading in the straight.
Enter gun young apprentice Siena Grima who executed perfectly aboard Omolong to sail down the outside of the track to defeat Seeiaye ($6.50) by half-a-length on the line.
Satin Summer ($5.50) filled third a further length and a quarter away in what was a smart return for trainer Michael Freedman.
Omolong’s flying win took Grima within one of Braith Nock in the race for the Sydney Metropolitan Apprentices’ Premiership.
Waller was full of praise for Grima who continues to flourish under the guidance of the champion trainer and Hall of Fame jockey Darren Beadman.
“She just continues to improve,” Waller said.
“She came to us as a ready-made jockey and the pressure of Sydney racing is pretty intense and we are in one of the toughest jurisdictions in the world – especially if you get on the wrong side of things.
“She continues to deal with all that, it’s a big thing for any sportsperson dealing with pressure and she’s doing a fantastic job.
It’s a pleasure and an honour to be working with her.”
Having done his job this time in, Waller said Omolong will now go for a break before returning to the fray with an eye towards a late spring raid.
And Waller’s assessment that Omolong could emerge as a potential Coolmore candidate is one worth listening to, having annexed the Group 1 three-year-old showpiece six of the past 16 editions.
“He’s always shown a lot of promise, he’s just been very raw and it’s been a matter of getting him focused and making sure you’re not asking the question too early,” Waller said.
“He could have had a run six months ago but he wouldn’t have been ready for it mentally.
“He’ll go for a little break now, hence the reason as to why I’m talking later in the spring with him.
“I think one or two weeks off wouldn’t be enough to help him compete against those early three-year-olds because they’ve had the break and had the racing.
“He’s a bright shining star. He can catch up later in the spring.”