Trainer Chris Waller believes that an ideal barrier draw gives imported galloper Multilateral an excellent winning chance in the Western Health Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Chris Waller is confident that Multilateral can return to winning form in the Western Health Cup at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Multilateral will jump from barrier five with Craig Newitt on board this weekend and Waller told Racing Ahead this morning that the inside draw was pivotal for the Mizzen Mast gelding who has shown a tendency to over race since making his Australian racing debut with a second place finish behind Index Linked in the Smirnoff Plate (1500m) at Newcastle in March this year.
“He has drawn good and it is important for him too because he can get a bit keen in his races and over race,” Waller said.
“From that gate he will get a good bit of cover and hopefully be strong late.”
Despite his tendency to over race Multilateral has been in good form this campaign; recording victories in the Kari Aboriginal Resources Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 28, the Adina Apartment Hotels Handicap (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 12 and the Swisse Wellness Trophy (1800m) on Crown Oaks Day.
The four-year-old was beaten as a short priced favourite in the CFV Ambassadors Plate (2000m) at Caulfield on November 30 and Waller believes that he was ridden too close to the pace by jockey Chris Symons.
“He is a horse that you can’t ride too close,” Waller said.
“Last start he was just ridden a fraction close and he didn’t quiet finish off the way that we would have liked.
“He is a horse that is just taking a bit of time to get use to Australian racing and relaxing and then finishing that race off.
“Even that day (in the Swisse Wellness Trophy) he was on the bridle but fortunately they ran along a bit and that helped.”
Multilateral joined the Waller stable at the end of 2010, after performing poorly in five starts in Great Britain, and had immediate success in his first preparation in Australia; finishing second first-up at Newcastle before winning the Slickpix Plate (1800m) at Sandown on April 10 and taking out the Land Engineering Handicap (2400m) at Sandown on April 17.
Electric Fusion ($2.70) is currently a clear favourite in Western Health Cup betting markets but there has also been plenty of support for Multilateral who is available at a quote of $3.70.
