Charging home to secure a particularly impressive third in yesterday’s Melbourne Cup 2014, trainer Chris Waller is confident of an even greater Who Shot Thebarman through the 2015 Australian racing calendar than that witnessed over the Spring Racing Carnival.
Who Shot Thebarman ran a gallant third in yesterday’s 2014 Melbourne Cup. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Securing eight wins and a further three minor places from just 16 competitive starts so far, Who Shot Thebarman began his racing career in his native New Zealand under the guidance of trainer Mark Oulaghan before transferring to the care of Waller at the beginning of the season.
Understandably thrilled with the Yamanin Vital gelding’s performance in the Melbourne Cup, Waller told the Daily Telegraph he is confident all signs point towards and even greater return to racing in 2015.
“I would never come to a Melbourne Cup expecting to win, the competition is so tough,” Waller said.
“But Who Shot Thebarman has run so well and it helps to keep our profile up, showing that we are competing at this level.
“I think Who Shot Thebarman will be a better horse next year.
“He’s still a young horse and mentally he is still learning so for him to run third was a great effort.”
Veteran jockey Glen Boss has partnered Who Shot Thebarman in each of his last four competitive appearances at the races, and was delighted with the feel the six-year-old offered up in the Race That Stops a Nation.
Having taken out three editions of the Melbourne Cup aboard equine superstar Makybe Diva, Boss is echoed Waller’s sentiments and is excited by the prospect of future success aboard Who Shot Thebarman.
“Next year he will be a serious contender,” Boss said.
“He has run a super race today but he is a horse who is just starting to find his rhythm, he’s just starting to mature.
“Chris and his owners will have a lot of fun with this horse.”
A standout performer over the summer and autumn prior to his transfer to Australia, Who Shot Thebarman finished second in a minor over 1600m first-up and continued to build towards a strong second to Military Move in the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and back-to-back victories in the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m).
