Premier trainer Chris Waller will saddle up six runners in the Group 2 $250,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Kermadec is one of six runners trainer Chris Waller will saddle up in the Warwick Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
Waller gives his thoughts below on Group 1 winners Beaten Up, Foreteller, Moriarty, Hawkspur, Kermadec and Royal Descent who are all resuming as they wind up for the 2015 Spring Carnival.
Waller expects Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec to benefit greatly from his first up run in the Warwick Stakes and will be near his peak second up in the Group 2 $250,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 5.
“He is the new kid on the block, it looks like he is,” Waller said.
“We saw last week with Vancouver (beaten San Domenico Stakes favourite) race fitness is a big thing and we are not going to be too confident going into tomorrow’s race for that reason.”
“He has got a good gate, will appreciate Randwick but you can’t underestimate race fitness.”
Royal Descent was rewarded for her consistent Group 1 performances over the last year by being named the Miler Of The Year last night at the NSW Racing Awards and Waller can see the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 19 as one of her main Spring targets.
Waller expects her to race well in the Warwick Stakes.
“Great mare, who won the Miler Of The Year,” Waller said.
“Royal Descent, she has come back very well. She is a bit heavier than normal but I don’t see that as a disadvantage.”
“She took a run or two to come up last prep. Hugh Bowman aboard, barrier three. She is a class sprinter, miler. She will be in the top five.”
Waller has switched Hawkspur from his Rosehill stable to his Warwick Farm base and is hoping this will see him find some good form over the Spring and expects him to be at his top third up in the Group 2 $200,000 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 19.
“We have trained him out of the Warwick Farm stable just to give him a change of environment,” Waller said.
“He won his trial last start. Awkward gate, I don’t think he will have enough speed to get across early so he will just go back and get home.”
Moriarty, Beaten Up and Foreteller are also heading towards the Hill Stakes and will be better suited over distances longer than the 1400m of the Warwick Stakes.
“We will try to split them up at some stage but once those four get to 2000m, look out,” Waller said.
Beaten Up is resuming off a shorter break without injury and Waller thinks he will have the edge over Foreteller and Moriarty later on in the their preparations.
“Beaten Up probably has the potential to beat those other two (Foreteller and Moriarty) over 2000m as well,” Waller said.
“Never underestimate him. He has come back well and he hasn’t lost his zest for anything.”
Moriarty has drawn a wide gate but Waller expects him to be doing is best work at the finish and a second trip to Perth could be on the cards after he won the Group 1 $500,000 TAB Touch – Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot during the 2014 Perth Summer Carnival.
“Wide gate. Will be getting home late. He is in for a long prep and will probably end up in Perth at some stage. He is a great old horse,” Waller said.
Waller was pretty sure that Foreteller will need the run on Saturday but would also like to see him running on at the end.
“I think he will need the run, he will just get wound up late. He should be in for another good prep and probably just lower our sights a little bit this preparation,” Waller said.
Warwick Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 First Seal, $6.50 Kermadec, $7.50 Royal Descent, It’s Somewhat, $8.50 Burbero, $9.50 Pornichet, $12 Messene, $34 Gust Of Wind, $41 Beaten Up, Complacent, $51 Zaratone, $61 Hawkspur, $81 Foreteller, $101 Moriarty.
