Trainer Chris Waller believes that Harrier Jet is capable of returning to winning form when he makes his debut at Group level in the 2015 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Harrier Jet is one of three Chris Waller-trained runners set to contest the 2015 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Harrier Jet started his summer preparation with a comfortable two and a half lengths win in the De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 29 and he had no luck when third in the Cellabrations Handicap (1400m) at the same venue on December 20.
The Dane Shadow gelding started the Benchmark 75 event at Rosehill Gardens on January 3 as an odds-on favourite, but Hugh Bowman was caught napping on the favourite and he finished second behind Shiraz before he was luckless again in the TAB.Com.Au Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on January 24.
Waller is adamant that Harrier Jet should be taking a winning streak into the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) and the leading Sydney trainer is adamant that the gelding is good enough to score a maiden win at Group level this weekend
“He is obviously a bit better ridden quiet, but he doesn’t need to be ridden stone cold and he should get a nice trail on Saturday,” Waller said.
“I think he will take some beating and he has some good form around him, racing against the older horses.
“He should have won at his last two starts and Tommy Berry will ride.”
Harrier Jet is joined in the 2015 Eskimo Prince Stakes field by stablemates Delectation and Kermadec and he has a clear fitness edge over the highly-rated duo.
Waller believes that Delectation faces a tough first-up assignment in the Eskimo Prince Stakes from the second outside gate, but he feels that the Shamardal gelding is the class runner in the Group 3 event after he finished second behind stablemate Brazen Beau in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day last year.
“He ran second to Brazen Beau in the Group 1 Coolmore in the spring and that is pretty good form.
“It is a tough draw, but he has a good jockey in Hugh Bowman on board.”
Delectation has been a clear market mover in the 2015 Eskimo Prince Stakes betting market with Ladbrokes Australia and has been in a quote of $4, while Harrier Jet is available at Eskimo Prince Stakes odds of $4.80.
