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Chris Waller’s Gold Coast stable had one of its most important days when The Lord Mayor and Sexy Eyes completed the Toowoomba Cup-Weetwood Handicap double at Clifford Park.
While Waller is motoring towards a century of Group 1 winners on Day 2 of The Championships next week, his Queensland stable manager Paul Shailer acknowledged how important days like Saturday were to the Gold Coast arm of the operation.
“We have 42 horses on the Gold Coast and 15 staff,” Shailer said.
“These days mean a lot to all of them.
“The staff wear the Chris Waller Racing brand proudly and work up to his high standards of professionalism.
“They make everyone’s job easier. I just turn up and put the saddle on knowing everything else has been taken care of.”
Sexy Eyes only arrived in Queensland this week, having had a trial in Sydney before heading north.
She has a link to Queensland though, wearing the colours of Peter and Patty Tighe made famous by Winx.
The Tighes are good friend with Paul and Jill Williams, who bred Sexy Eyes and race her in partnership.
“This horse was born and bred in Queensland and is also a QTIS horse, so even though she’s been in NSW, Queensland can lay claim to her,” Paul Williams said.
Robbie Fradd found the gaps when needed on Sexy Eyes and she proved too good for the local hope Tycoon Ace.
“When you look at her, she looks like an Oaks filly, but she has good acceleration,” Fradd said.
“The further I went, the better I was going.”
Earlier, Waller netted his first Toowoomba Cup and Brad Stewart his second when former Kiwi The Lord Mayor enjoyed a charmed run to win the $150,000 feature.
Shailer gave credit to Ryan Maloney, who rode the horse in his previous start, for recommending the application of blinkers.
“Unfortunately Ryan couldn’t make the weight and Brad reaped the rewards and gave him a gun ride,” Shailer said.
“He didn’t spend a penny in the run and I thought he showed a bit of ticker when the other horse fought on.
“He’s here for the Brisbane Cup and this was a nice stepping stone on the way through.”
Stewart rode Gene’s Interest to win the Toowoomba Cup 20 years ago and joked it “felt like yesterday”.
“When I got to (runner-up Kubis) I thought I would put him away more easily,” Stewart said. “But my bloke was very strong to the line and stuck on well. He’s a nice horse.”
Kubis gave a great sight in front, while Mishani Vaidra ran on from the back. – News.com.au