Waller weekly news 26 february 2016

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1 Waller weekly news 26 february 2016 The stable continued to enjoy some great momentum this week celebrating 10 winners in the past seven days and taking February s tally to 27 thus far. Outstanding colt Press Statement followed in the footsteps of Winx and Amicus in recent weeks winning his Group Two assignment first up with plenty of authority. Religify, All Cerise, El Doute, Labdien, Zavaroni, Big Knight, French Emotion, Omei Sword and She s A Rainbow make up the remaining nine deserving winners. Also deserving of a mention was the great return of the Ingham Family s home-bred Japonisme. Winner of the Gr.1 Coolmore Stakes in the spring, he finished a hard-fought third in the Gr.1 Lightning on Saturday with a trip to Royal Ascot a possibility for the son of Choisir who himself won the Gr.2 King s Stand, the Gr.1 Golden Jubilee Stakes and finished second in the Gr.1 July Cup at Ascot. The first Group One of the Sydney Autumn will be run tomorrow at Randwick and the Chipping Norton is a spinetingling affair with not only Winx in the field but also lining up for the stable is exciting import Storm the Stars plus Preferment, Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshal as they work their way up to the longer trips. For those looking at heading along to Randwick, the ATC will be handing out 2,500 #WinkforWinx paddles to the first patrons through the gate as they celebrate the latest superstar of the turf and encourge everyone to get behind her as she shoots for her seventh win in a row. Meanwhile stable stalwart Boban is also entered to race at the top level as he shoots for his sixth at that level in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield. We wish you all safe racing and the very best of luck over the next week! INSIDE THIS ISSUE WINNERs News, getting to know effie gray & photos admin@cwallerracing.com

2 CHRIS WALLER RACING - WINNERS THIS WEEK press statement 4yo H Hinchinbrook - Kaaptive Empress by Kaaptive Edition High class colt Press Statement returned to racing in the best possible fashion on Saturday when scoring a dominant first up success in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes over 1400m. Hugh Bowman, who had ridden the son of Hinchinbrook to success in the Caulfield Guineas last October, took the mount once again. Bowman didn t have too many anxious moments as Press Statement was always travelling sweetly behind the leaders and as they turned into the straight Bowman was still sitting quietly. Once asked for maximum effort this top class colt sprinted away for a dominant victory showing that he looks to have returned in great order for this campaign. This was a sixth win from just eight starts for this impressive individual. religify 5yo G Choisir - Sacred Witness by El Moxie This talented son of Choisir justified the decision to step him up in distance when winning at Rosehill on Saturday over 1350m. Tommy Berry took the mount and he produced a straightforward ride to bounce his mount straight to the front when the barriers opened. Religify rolled along at a solid tempo in front and he fought on determinedly once challenged in the straight to score a well deserved victory. This was a sixth career success for this likeable sort and Saturday s win brought his total prize money earnings to just shy of $250,000 for owner Kathryn Wood. He should continue to pay his way now that he has shown he could handle a rise in distance. all cerise 5yo M Redoute s Choice - Trick Taker by Capote All Cerise continued her outstanding run of recent form when making it four wins in a row when scoring at Flemington on Saturday over 1600m. Ben Melham was on board and as he had done in that previous victory, Melham dictated the race from the front. All Cerise was always travelling strongly and she fought off all comers in the straight to score another gutsy victory. This daughter of Redoute s Choice has been a revelation this preparation adding four wins since last December to her career total of six victories. It was a successful couple of days for the Kepitis family with Labdien also carrying their colours to victory at Moonee Valley on Friday night. Thanks to Bradley Photographers and darryl sherer for our weekly photos.

3 CHRIS WALLER RACING - WINNERS THIS WEEK el doute 5yo H Redoute s Choice - Ellicorsam by Fimiston This giant son of Redoute s Choice has had his fair share of issues, however he rewarded his owners patience when causing an upset at Rosehill on Wednesday over 1400m under Rory Hutching s. Hutching s had him fairly prominent throughout and El Doute responded to his urgings in the straight to score a gutsy victory which will no doubt have thrilled his ownership group which includes Kiwi cricketer Brendan McCullum. labdien 3yo F Stryker - Bold Moment by Fasliyev This talented daughter of Stryker recorded her third career victory at Moonee Valley on Friday night when scoring over 1200m. Ben Melham was in the saddle and he produced a patient ride settling his mount towards the rear of the field early on. Labdien was still only in mid division with two furlongs left to race but produced a strong finish in the straight to score comfortably. Raced by Debbie and Paul Kepitis and family under their Woppitt Bloodstock banner, there looks to be plenty of fun to be had with this promising filly in the future. zavaroni 3yo F Rothesay - Repercussions by Quest for Fame This daughter of Rothesay gained her maiden victory at just the fourth attempt when winning at Ballarat on Sunday over 1400m. Craig Newitt was in the saddle and he had her positioned close to the pace throughout in third position. Once he asked her for maximum effort in the straight she knuckled down well and fought off the runner up to score narrowly. This was a gutsy victory which will no doubt have delighted the filly s large ownership group united under Denise Martin s Star Thoroughbred banner. A mid-week race will probably now be on the agenda for this promising filly. french emotion 4yo M Snitzel - Love and Emotion by Woodman This classy sort made it three wins from three starts since returning from a spell when winning at Sandown on Wednesday over 1400m. Brad Rawiller was once again on board having also ridden her in the two previous victories. Rawiller had her travelling strongly in third position throughout and once he gave her the green light in the straight to go and win her race, she did so with the minimum of fuss recording another dominant victory for her owners and breeders Valda Klaric and Ivan Cajkusic.

4 big knight 3yo C Big Brown - Smart Arch by Archway After finishing a highly promising second on debut just over two weeks previously, this son of Big Brown went one place better when winning at Sandown on Wednesday over 1400m. Ben Melham, who has been riding plenty of winners for the stable lately, was in the saddle and he had this talented colt in a good position throughout just behind the leaders. Melham bided his time in the straight before producing his mount inside the final furlong to score a narrow success. There should be plenty of improvement in this promising type with plenty of fun on the cards for his ownership group in the future. omei sword 2yo F High Chaparral - Irish Lights by Fastnet Rock This beautifully bred daughter of the great High Chaparral from the high class mare in Irish Lights made the best possible start to her racing career when winning on debut at Rosehill on Wednesday over 1100m. Hugh Bowman took the mount carrying the colours of Mr CC Lai and he gave this classy filly a lovely introduction to racing, settling her towards the rear of the field early on before allowing her to finish off strongly in the straight to score an impressive win. She will no doubt gain plenty from this initial experience of racing and improve as she continues to mature. She s a rainbow 3yo F Redoute s Choice - Music Review by Singspiel This daughter of Redoute s Choice gained her initial success at Newcastle on Tuesday. Tommy Berry was on board and he settled her in mid division before producing her inside the final furlong to score comfortably. She clearly relished the step up in trip and looks a promising staying type for the future. VIDEO UPDATE Make the boys day and click on the image to the left to go to this week s video update with plenty of valuable insights into our runners this weekend!

5 Winx can help stable close in on Bart Cummings record Winx, the nation s best and most popular racehorse, can propel Chris Waller towards one of the most coveted and enduring training records in Australian racing. Waller has prepared 10 Group 1 winners so far this season and is chasing more major race success with superstar Winx in the $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Winx is joined by stablemates Preferment, Grand Marshal, Who Shot Thebarman and Storm The Stars in the Group 1 weight-for-age feature. Also, at Caulfield, Waller has Boban among the main chances in the Group 1 $500,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m). So, in the same season that the legendary Bart Cummings passed away, the great trainer s long-standing record for most Group 1 wins in a season is under threat. Cummings trained 20 Group 1 wins in but Waller is well placed to challenge that benchmark during the autumn carnivals. The Group 1 record is out of our control, Waller said. Our stable is doing the best we can it doesn t matter if it is a Wednesday race, a Saturday race or a Group 1 race. If we don t get it this season, then I d like to think we will have a few more years to try for it. Where Waller once could target only certain Group 1 races, his stable now has such a deep pool of equine talent that virtually every major is within his sights. A total of 31 Group 1 races have been run so far this season and Waller has won just under 30 per cent of them. With a total of 72 Group 1 races run nationwide this season, if Waller can maintain his current strike-rate he could finish with close to 25 big-race winners. We always have a look where the Group 1 races are and if we can have a runner in them, he said. The stable likes to be represented in the big ones and it give our owners the chance to have runners in these important races. In previous years, it was more about finding the races that suited the right horse. Waller s Group 1 results reflect his stable philosophy his 10 majors this season have been achieved with nine different horses. Winx is his only multiple major winner, taking out the Epsom Handicap and Cox Plate last spring. These big-race results follows a similar stable pattern last season when Waller set a personal best of 14 Group 1 wins with 13 horses only Brazen Beau (Coolmore Stud Stakes, Newmarket Handicap) won twice at the highest level. Waller s recent Group 1 record has been achieved without a standout champion or dominant Group 1 performer which makes the stable s success even more remarkable.

6 At the height of his extraordinary career, Cummings trained 20 Group 1 winners in , a record that has stood the test of time. But Cummings had a stable loaded with genuine top class gallopers including champion mare Leilani, brilliant two-yearold Lord Dudley, plus outstanding fillies Cap d Antibes and Leica Show. Leilani boosted the trainer s Group 1 tally that season with five majors Caulfield Cup, Australian Cup, Toorak Handicap, Mackinnon Stakes and Orr Stakes. She also ran a courageous second in the Melbourne Cup behind her stablemate Think Big. Cap d Antibes won three Group 1 races, Leica Show was a dual winner and Lord Dudley won the Blue Diamond Stakes- VRC Sires Produce Stakes. Leilani won Horse of the Year that season, a title Lord Dudley was to earn the following year. Tommy Smith, Cummings great rival, came very close to the record when he trained 19 major race winners in Smith also had a stable full of outstanding racehorses in , most notably the great Kingston Town. The Hall of Fame champion won six Group 1 races that season AJC Derby, Sydney Cup, Tancred Stakes, Queensland Derby, Rosehill Guineas and Spring Champion Stakes a record haul of big-race wins in a single season that has been matched only by Black Caviar. Smith also had a dominant three-year-old team that season with Mighty Kingdom claiming four Group 1 races including the Caulfield Cup, Lowan Star was a dual Oaks winner, while Snowing and Rocky Top also won majors. Outstanding milers Imposing (Epsom Handicap) and Iko (Doncaster Handicap) were dual Group 1 winners for Tulloch Lodge. Cummings and Smith could rely on great champions like Leilani and Kingston Town to boost their big-race tally and Waller is hoping Winx will do something similar this season. Waller is reluctant to call Winx a champion just yet but the mare is zeroing in on racing s ultimate ranking. She is on a six-race winning streak going into the Chipping Norton Stakes. Winx s first-up win in the Apollo Stakes two weeks ago prompted generous applause from the Randwick crowd, confirming her status as the sport s new fan favourite. Waller knows the racing public are expecting Winx to win every time she races now and that brings with it added pressure on the trainer to have the mare at or very near her peak every start. Winx s first-up win in the Apollo Stakes wasn t overly taxing effort which pleased Waller knowing the mare is beginning a long autumn campaign which will climax with the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 9.- Ray Thomas, The Daily Telegraph

7 Waller has one eye on winx and one on the future A mixture of the obvious and the curious will accompany Chris Waller s bid for a fifth Chipping Norton Stakes win. In Winx, Waller has Australia s best thoroughbred ready to take another step closer to Horse of the Year honours as she lines up as a prohibitive favourite in the Group One race at Randwick on Saturday. And while he doesn t expect Storm The Stars to match it with Winx, Waller realises the import s Australian debut comes with extra scrutiny as a placegetter in the English, Irish and French Derbies. Waller is in no doubt Storm The Stars has a place among the best in Australian racing, but for the moment it s an assessment unlikely to be shared by avid barrier trial watchers. I ve got myself convinced he s a decent horse, Waller said. Everybody has seen what I ve seen. He s trialled OK. He hasn t trialled badly but he certainly hasn t trialled brilliantly. Waller said it wasn t in Storm The Stars DNA to show up at less than the staying distances for which he is bred and trained. The way we train tends to help an Australian horse be competitive (over a sprint distance) first-up and still win a Melbourne Cup and a Cox Plate, he said. They can be competitive at every distance if they ve got class but these European horses aren t like that at all. Besides Winx and Storm The Stars, Waller will also run Group One-winning stayers Preferment, Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshal. A Tye Angland mount, Storm The Stars is Waller s second pick of the string as he looks ahead to the Ranvet Stakes. I reckon over a mile you ll see a flashing light on his head over the last part, the trainer said. But I think he is spot-on for his second-up run. Waller s sequence of training four successive Chipping Norton winners was broken last year when Contributer defeated Godolphin stablemate Hartnell. The betting says normal service will resume for Australia s most dominant stable with Winx rated a $1.40 chance to continue on her winning way. Hartnell is the bookmakers second elect with Mongolian Khan on the third line as the New Zealand-trained star makes his first appearance since winning the Caulfield Cup. - AAP TURF

8 THIS WEEKEND S STABLE RUNNERS Click here to go to the website for more information on our stable runners.

9 barrier trial to decide catkins future Popular grey mare Catkins will be given one more chance to show Chris Waller she still has a future on the racetrack. Waller said he would make an important call on Catkins when the six-year-old was put through her paces in a genuine barrier trial test at Rosehill on Monday. The winner of more than $2 million in stakes after 16 victories and 13 placings, Catkins has reached the crossroads of her career after disappointing her legion of fans in a lacklustre return to racing. Catkins couldn t beat a runner home in the Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday, leaving her trainer dumbfounded. I don t really find that horses give up like that but in saying that she s not pulling up distressed, she s certainly not sore, Waller said. She just doesn t get beaten like that. Waller said Catkins would be asked a serious question in a 900m barrier trial in which first-up Expressway Stakes winner Our Boy Malachi is expected to be among her opposition. She doesn t necessarily have to win but she has to be impressive. She will be made to do something, Waller said. Should Catkins do enough to convince Waller to push on into the autumn, she will be afforded the opportunity to claim the Group One race that is missing from her outstanding record. If she has one more run it will be in the Coolmore Classic over 1500 (metres), Waller said. - AAP TURF

10 French Emotion tipped to make the grade Brad Rawiller says French Emotion can measure up to stakes grade after the mare made it three straight midweek victories at Sandown. Rawiller has been aboard the Chris Waller-trained French Emotion for all three wins, including her latest in the Premier Signs Handicap on Wednesday. "I'm pretty confident she can get to black type," Rawiller said. "Even at my first ride on her she broke 32 (seconds) for the last 600 metres and you don't do that unless you have something there. "It showed it wasn't a flash in the pan win as she's done it three times this time in." Sent out the $1.50 favourite, French Emotion scored by three lengths from Redasun ($8) with Saone Et Loire ($26) a length away third. Rawiller says one of French Emotion's greatest attributes is her ability to take any spot in a race and then quicken. "She's a beautiful horse for a jockey to ride," he said. "You can put her wherever you want and she's got that lovely turn of foot and she's the first horse to pull up. "She knows when she's done her job underneath you and she comes back and wouldn't blow a candle out." Justine Hailes, who presides over Waller's Melbourne stable, said the mare appreciated the firmer tracks in Melbourne after being beaten in maiden grade in Sydney on heavy tracks last campaign. She suggested the stable may look to the Brisbane winter carnival with the mare. - AAP TURF getting to know effie gray Flemington-based trackwork rider and strapper Effie Gray is originally from Scotland and moved to Newmarket in England as a teenager to start a career in racing with Luca Cumani. After many enjoyable years in Newmarket the travel bug was caught and saw Effie spend time volunteering with wildlife conservation in Africa and Asia with elephants, orang-utans, cheetahs and many more exotic animal. While she loved it all, eventually Effie ran out of money, leading her to Australia to further her career in racing. Nickname? Eff Best quote? I ll do it later. Favourite Part of the job? Strapping winners. Favourite horse? Press Statement. Best horse ever seen? Winx. Favourite food? Bread. Role model? I have many. Favourite jockey? Damien Oliver. If you weren t in racing, what would you have done? Wildlife conservation. If you could invite two people for dinner, who would you invite? Kevin Bridges (comedian) and someone that can cook. Event in the world that you would most like to attend? A festival in Venice. What would you do with your last $5? I would buy a cold beer. Tip for the weekend? Not to take any notice of my tips!

11 Press Statement presentation. All Cerise. Ali and Press Statement.

12 China Horse Club s Teo Ah Khing celebrates Press Statement s win with Chris. She s A Rainbow and Maddison. Labdien and Dave. Tom Berry on Religify. Zavaroni and Tom. Thanks to Bradley Photographers and darryl sherer for our weekly photos.

13 Scandal Sheet. Catkins enjoying a visit from Stu Macdermid and Lyn Ingham. Prescience. Estikhraaj and James with Ben Melham on board Hipparchus.

14 Matt on Gretna and Dom on Danjeu working and on their way home. Rex. Ross and Labdien pigeon racing at Flemington. All Cerise. Scooner.

15 Dom and his special girl French Emotion. Big Knight and Ziggy. Delectation and Steph. Japonisme with Ed and Chris.