The 2015 Winter Stakes field has been released and leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller is set to have four runners in the Listed event that will be held at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
You’ll Never is one of four Chris Waller-trained runners in the 2015 Winter Stakes field. Photo by: Steve Hart
Headlining the Waller charge in the Winter Stakes is consistent gelding You’ll Never, who will be making his black-type racing debut after performing well in four race starts to date this preparation.
You’ll Never returned to racing with a win in the One Solutions Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on May 9 and he took out the Octagonal Handicap (1400m) at the same venue on May 30 before he finished third in both the TAB Rewards Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on June 13 and the Perfection Fresh Handicap (1500m) on June 27.
Rugged Cross finished behind You’ll Never in the both the Octagonal Handicap and the Perfection Fresh Handicap, but he will be given the opportunity to turn-the-tables on his stablemate in the Winter Stakes this weekend.
The Cape Cross gelding does not win out of turn, but he returned to a semblance of his best form with a fast-finishing fourth in the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on July 4.
Arguably the most interesting Waller-trained runner in the Winter Stakes will be imported stayer Instrumentalist, who has not been seen at the races since he recorded a memorable victory in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) in February last year.
Instrumentalist earnt a ballot-exempt entry into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) with his Mornington Cup victory, but injuries have kept him away from the races ever since while he has also been included in the acceptances for the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Rounding out the Waller team in the 2015 Winter Stakes field is Diametric, who returned to racing with a flat performance in the Civic Stakes.
The Civic Stakes is set to be the key form-guide for the Winter Stakes and Godolphin galloper Haussmann will have the chance to replicate the feat of stablemate Generalife and complete the Civic Stakes/Winter Stakes double.
Haussmann has been an inconsistent performer throughout his racing career to date, but he produced the best performance to hold-off Two Blue and See The World in the Civic Stakes – both of whom are set to back-up in the Winter Stakes this weekend.
Another trainer that will have multiple runners in the 2015 Winter Stakes is Gai Waterhouse, who has included both Spurtonic and Liberty’s Choice in the acceptances.
Spurtonic will be having his first race start since he failed to fire in the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) at Caulfield on February 28, while Liberty’s Choice has not been seen at the races since he finished sixth in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
Wouldnt It Be Nice, Canny Ballad, Royal Island and Noela’s Choice round out the 2015 Winter Stakes field.
