Waller eyes group 1 record at bumper Eagle Farm program
When he started training almost three decades ago, Chris Waller would have been 'pretty happy' with a career that included 18 group 1 wins.
With that in mind, breaking his Australian record of 18 in one season, a mark he has already achieved twice, is not something the champion Sydney trainer is too worried about heading to Eagle Farm on Saturday, where he has good chances to do just that.
Waller has multiple runners in the three group 1s, headlined by Kingsford-Smith Cup favourite Joliestar ($2.20 Sportsbet) and Queensland Derby equal top elect Belle Detelle ($6.50).
And while he no doubt wants to win them all, Waller is already content with a campaign highlighted by Via Sistina's record-equalling seven group 1s in a season.
'It's a long season, and it's amazing when you look back at it and say, there's been 18 group 1 winners,' said Waller, who has Via Sistina back in pre-training for a spring assault aimed at defending her Cox Plate crown.
'At the start of my career, if you said I'd train 18, I'd be pretty happy. It is amazing, and they're not easy to win, so we're very proud of our team.'
Joliestar is likely to have her winter grand final in the Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m), which was moved back a week, and not in next Saturday's Stradbroke Handicap.
'They've got to have a break, and she doesn't have to prove much more,' Waller said.
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News.com.au
16 minutes ago
- News.com.au
THE LAST SAY: Tips, big bets, inside mail for today's racing at Randwick, Eagle Farm, Flemington and more
Joliestar, the outstanding sprinter, can secure the third Group 1 win of her career in the $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm today. The Chris Waller -trained and James McDonald -ridden Joliestar will appreciate the drying track conditions with Eagle Farm bordering on a good 4. If Joliestar ($2.30 favourite) is successful, she will provide Waller with his 19th Group 1 winner of the season – a new Australian record for a trainer. McDonald has an outstanding book of seven rides at Eagle Farm including Belle Detelle in the Group 1 $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m) and Movin Out in the Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m), both for the Waller stable. The champion jockey also links with Godolphin trainer James Cummings on exciting sprinter Pisanello ($4.60 favourite) in the Listed $160,000 Lightning Handicap (1000m). In Flight, who ran second to Pisanello at Canterbury before winning a stakes race last start, is chasing another feature race success in the Listed $200,000 Bob Charley Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick. Joe Pride has three favourites in the quaddie legs at Randwick on Saturday. — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 6, 2025 The Joe Pride -trained In Flight is renowned as a superior wet-tracker and the heavy 8 Randwick track rating is ideal for the $3.40 favourite. There has also been a significant betting move for promising two-year-old Hidden Motive in the Randwick opener, the Precise Air Handicap (1100m). Hidden Motive has been heavily backed with Ladbrokes, firming from $2.60 to $2.45 with some big bets of $2,000 at $2.60, $2000 at $2.50 and $1379 at $2.45. â– â– â– â– â– ROYAL RANDWICK Weather: Cool, mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 19c. Track: Heavy (8). Rail: True. EAGLE FARM Weather: Warm, sunny day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 25c. Track: Soft (5). Rail: 2m out. FLEMINGTON Weather: Cold, cloudy day with a high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 15c. Track: Soft (5). Rail: 8m out. MORPHETTVILLE Weather: Cold, cloudy and windy day with the high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 16c. Track: Soft (6). Rail: 8m out from 1000m to the winning post. â– â– â– â– â– BE WARY: Royal Randwick is rated a heavy 8 with some chance of an upgrade today. The rail is back in the true position after being out 10m two weeks ago when Randwick was extremely heavy. Eagle Farm's final five races were washed out last week when heavy rain swept the course but, remarkably, the track has improved this week and is officially a soft is a likelihood the track will be upgraded to a good 4 during Super Saturday which boasts three Group 1 races. Flemington is also a soft 5 but showers are forecast today and the rail is out 8m. â– â– â– â– â– ROYAL RANDWICK TIPS BEST BET: Race 1 No.1 HIDDEN MOTIVE came off minor placings in strong two-year-old form races – including a close second to Aerodrome – with a dominant win at Hawkesbury last start. Hidden Motive settled on speed but was kept under a tight hold before he cruised to the front at the 300m and raced away to win by nearly four lengths. His winning margin could have been doubled if his rider put the colt under more pressure. Promising two-year-old who handled soft 7 conditions well last start, he is drawn to get all the favours and should be too good for his rivals. Aerodrome gets the last few strides and wins well for @MFreedmanRacing! ðŸ'� — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 16, 2025 THE NEXT BEST: Race 7 No.9 COOL JAKEY is very effective on wet tracks and has raced very consistently over an extended campaign including his wins at Warwick Farm and the Hawkesbury stand-alone before he stepped out to 1600m for the first time when a game second to Hollywood Hero on this track two weeks ago. The track conditions were extremely heavy that day and Cool Jakey fought hard to the line. He drops to 5.5kg to 52kg after the claim, looks likely to get complete control in front and will be very hard to run down. A great battle between Cool Jakey and Gallant Star in the last at @hawkesburyrc, with Cool Jakey the winner - giving @PrideRacing a treble and Adam Hyeronimus a double! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025 VALUE BET: Race 2 No.10 CONVERGENT is a rising five-year-old who only made his debut on Anzac Day where he settled a clear last in a small field, went wide on the turn, and reeled in his rivals to score an impressive win. He has had a barrier trial between runs but has been kept fresh for this 1500m race. Emerging stayer and although he is eligible for easier races, he's good each way value at $12. Convergent wins on debut for Jim & Greg Lee with @Reganbayliss in the saddle ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 25, 2025 THE WHISPER: Race 8 No.4 IN FLIGHT broke through for a deserved stakes win in Brisbane last start but trainer Joe Pride has brought the mare back to Sydney specifically for the Bob Charley Stakes. She's effective on all types of going but particularly heavy tracks where she has won four of her six attempts. Class mare and nicely weighted just 2kg over the limit. She can win again. In Flight finds clear air to win the Magic Millions Bright Shadow for @PrideRacing! ✈ï¸� — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– EAGLE FARM TIPS BEST BET: Race 2 No.2 PISANELLO is a brilliant sprinter with impressive acceleration which he demonstrated when sprinting clear of In Flight and Barber at Canterbury two starts back. The form from that race has been franked with In Flight and Barber both winning stakes races at their next starts. Trained by Godolphin's James Cummings, Pisanello went to Scone last start where he got strung up at the rear of the field in the Ortensia Stakes until well into the straight but was charging through the pack to finish a close fifth. Pisanello has to drop back to 1000m but the speed will be frenetic and the long Eagle Farm straight gives him the chance to unleash his tremendous closing speed. This will be exciting to watch. It's Pisanello who flies down the outside to win race 7 at Canterbury with J-Mac in the saddle! ðŸ'� @mcacajamez @JamesCummings88 @godolphin — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 21, 2025 NEXT BEST: Race 10 No.6 KIN is a talented Godolphin mare improved by two runs from a spell including her closing second to In Flight in the Bright Shadow at Doomben two weeks ago. She's peaking now and did win a stakes race at Caulfield third-up last spring. The improving soft 5 conditions are ideal, James McDonald stays with the mare, she's well drawn and looks to have found her right race. VALUE BET: Race 9 No.15 EXISTENTIAL BOB is at $34 for the Queensland Derby but he's a good each way gamble. I really liked Existential Bob on the heavy track last week but the meeting was called off before the Derby. I'm going to stay with Existential Bog because he is just starting to learn what racing is all about and has struck form at the right time leading throughout to win at Wyong and Ipswich. Existential Bob makes his own luck racing on speed and he can stay. He gave the others a crisis! Existential Bob is too good for them at @IpswichTurfClub 🥳 @RMaloney_Jockey | @cwallerracing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 21, 2025 THE WHISPER: Race 7 No.10 JOLIESTAR is a dual Group 1 winner and one of the best sprinters in training. She won the Newmarket Handicap earlier this year and hasn't raced since her second in the All Aged Stakes in April but she has had a barrier trial leading into the Kingsford Smith Cup. With the scratchings, Joliestar comes into barrier 9, the improving track conditions are ideal, and she is the one to beat. She's a star alright! â�ï¸� JOLIESTAR takes out the 2025 Newmarket Handicap & collects her 2nd Group 1 victory ðŸ'�ðŸ�» @cwallerracing @LaneDamian â€' (@Racing) March 8, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROYAL RANDWICK Race 1: Matima $6-$4.40 Race 2: Engine Room $6-$5, Callistemon $15-$8 Race 3: Changing Colours $8-$5.50, Good Banter $11-$6.50 Race 4: Shropshire Lad $8-$5, Bengal $11-$6.50 including a bet of $1050 e/w at $10/$3.20, Carribean King $15-$8.50 Race 5: Hurstville Zagreb $6-$2.80 with a bet of $1000 e/w at $5/$2.10, Rotagilla $15-$6.50, Duvana $26-$11 Race 6: Federer $3.60-$3.50, Oh Diamond Lil $4.60-$3.90 Race 7: Cool Jakey $3.50-$2.80 with a bet of $2600 at $2.90, Mighty Ulysses $15-$10 Race 8: In Flight $3.50-$3.40, The Novelist $4.60-$4.40, Barber $8-$6.50, Contemporary $15-$10, Kazou $15-$10 Race 9: Whinchat $4.60-$3.80, Accredited $11-$6, Fleetwood $15-$7 Race 10: Gitalong $8-$7, Winning Proposal $15-$8.50 The big bookies give their best and value tips as well as top selections in the Kingsford Smith Cup, Queensland Derby and Queensland Oaks ðŸ'‡ What are you really gambling with? — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 6, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– LADBROKE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROYAL RANDWICK Race 1: Hidden Motive $2.45-$2.60-$2.45 with some big bets of $2,000 at $2.60, $2000 at $2.50 and $1379 at $2.45, Change My Address $14-$9 Race 2: Jumeirah Beach $13-$10 with a bet of $500 at $11, Callistemon $10-$8.50 with a bet of $222 at $10 Race 3: Miss Kim Kar $3.50-$3.60-$3.30 Race 4: Caribbean King $12-$7.50 Race 5: Hurstville Zagreb $5-$2.60 with bets of $500 at $5, $626 at $4.20, $771 at $3.60, Rotagilla $10-$6.50 with a bet of $285 at $8, Duvan $16-$18-$9.50 including a bet of $155 at $14 Race 6: Blazing Harry $18-$11 with a bet of $120 at $18, Imatruestar $35-$23 Race 7: Cool Jakey $3.50-$2.90 with bets of $870 at $3.30, $911 and $560 at $3.20, $700 at $2.90, $750 at $2.45, Phearson $20-$15, Loch Eagle $31-$20 Race 8: Barber $9.50-$11-$6.50 with a bet of $200 at $11, Kazou $13-$9, Contemporary $17-$10 and a wager of $125 at $17), South Of India $21-$13 Race 9: Headley Grange firm at $650 after bets of $750 and $700 at those odds, Shadizi $11-$12-$8.50 with a bet of $812 at $9.75), Fleetwood $17-$7.50 and a bet of $135 at $16 Race 10: Gitalong $500 at $8.75, $265 at $8.50, Winning Proposal $14-$7.50 with a bet of $165 at $13, Mabel $41-$20, Welcome Gypsy $23-$15, Not That Easy $81-$26 EAGLE FARM Race 1: Sunrays is firm at $2.95 after bets of $1,000 and $500 at those odds, Providence $5-$4.50 after bets of $500 at $5 twice, $572 at $4.50), Jenni Gone Bonkers $16-$19-$10 Race 2: Pisanello $4.80-$4.65 after bets of $527 at $4.80, $857 at $4.65, Steady Ready $5.50-$4.80 with bets of $500 at $5.50, $527 at $4.80 Race 3: Lekvarte $8.25-$7 with bets of $700 at $8.25, $500 at $7 twice, Vivy Air $500 at $8.25, Exotique Miss $14-$8.50, Thalassophile $16-$10 Race 4: Front Page $3.70-$3.30 including a bet of $800 at $3.50, Hidden Wealth $8-$6 with a bet of $2000 at $8.25 Race 5: Winnasedge firms after bets of $1,000 at $3.65, $2,473 at $3.50), Gerringong $6-$4, Coleman $8-$6 Race 6: Transatlantic $7.50-$3.60 after consistent support including bets of $308 at $7.50, $588 at $4.40, $600 at $3.50, Tavs $10-$5.50 after a bet of $222 at $10 Race 7: Joliestar $3.20-$2.30 continues to firm as favourite after bets of $1055 at $2.90, $1,000 at $2.35, Giga Kick has also been well supported with bets of $900 at $4.20, $500 at $4.20 twice, $500 at $4.15, $666 at $4, Payline has been backed at odds with bets of $500 at $17, $500 at $16 Race 8: Philia is firm at $4.40 with bets of $2000 and $1,000 at those odds, Pinito $10-$6 with a bet of $286 at $8 Race 9: King Of Thunder is firm at $7.50 after a bet of $500 at those odds, Politely Dun $27-$19 Race 10: Tashi $11-$6 after a $200 bet at $11), Zazou $17-$11 FLEMINGTON Race 1: Goldenstatewarrior remains favourite after a bet of $1,000 at $3.30, Muktamil is pressing for favouritism after bets of $714 at $3.80, $740 at $3.70, Samuel Langhorne $8-$5.50 after a bet of $285 at $8, Golden Crusader $23-$7 with bets of $135 at $16, $222 at $10 Race 2: Miss Ole $2.45-$2.20 after bets of $1,382 and $600 at $2.45), Espana $9.50-$5 with a $365 a $6.50, Sonofkirk $9-50-$7 Race 3: Jazz Affair $12-$7 after bets of $180 at $12, $1,000 w/p at $7/$2.45, Dream All Day is firm in betting after a $590 wager at $4.40, Cindy Falls $7.50-$5.50 including a wager of $310 at $7.50, Stylish $7.50-$5 after a $310 bet at $7.50 Race 4: Soft Love $4.40-$3.10 with a bet of $590 at $4.40), One Hard Lady $8-$9-$6 including bets of $285 at $8, $250 at $9, Skipjack $12-$16-$9 after a bet of $135 at $16, Romani Ite Domum $8-$10-$7.50 with a $222 bet at $10, It's A Yes has been backed at odds with a $500 wager at $11 Race 5: Regal Vow $11-$9 Race 6: Detroit City $9-$5 with bets of $250 at $9, $310 at $7.50, Taken $11-$13-$6 after bets of $165 a $13, $285 at $8, King Of Enterprise $8.50-$11-$9.50 including bets of $533 and $500 at $9.25, Narbold $16-$11 with a bet of $135 at $16 Race 7: Liberami firms as favourite after bets of $1,000 a $3.15 and $1,000 at $3.05, Ruakaka Raider has been well backed including a $1,000 w/p at $7.50/$2.50, Euphoric $10-$11-$6.50 with a bet of $222 at $10, Townsend $9.50-$7.50 after a $235 bet at $9.50, Shaiyhar $588 at $10.25, Flash Feeling $41-$20 Race 8: Shockletz $4-$5-$4.20 with bets of $500 at $5 twice, Champagne Jenni $16-$7.50 after bets of $135 at $16, $500 at $9.75, $1,000 w/p at $9/$3.10, Hot Majesty $18-$13 including a $120 wager at $18 Race 9: Talbragar $12-$9.50 â– â– â– â– â–
AU Financial Review
25 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
Tottenham sack Europa League winner Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou's rollercoaster two-year reign at Tottenham Hotspur is over after the North London club sacked their Australian head coach. The axe came despite Postecoglou guiding Spurs to a 1-0 victory in the Europa League final over fellow EPL side Manchester United in Bilbao last month. AAP
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Football world in shock as Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou's sacking by Tottenham has sparked shock and outrage as the soccer world digested the news that a man who had ended his club's long search for silverware had been shown the door a fortnight later. England manager Thomas Tuchel, himself sacked by Chelsea a year after winning the Champions League in 2021, said: 'It just shows you that it is not only about titles, you can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong then you can overcome seasons without titles. 'If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years.' Tuchel also paid tribute to Postecoglou: 'I have biggest respect for him. He's a huge character, he brought a trophy, he said he will deliver in the second year and he did,' he said. 'But this is part of the job, we are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility.' There was an emotional response from one of Postecoglou's players, full-back Pedro Porro taking to Instagram to say: 'Thank you for everything, boss. For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. 'I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss.' Soccer pundits came out backing the Australian coach, and laying into Tottenham's decision. Alan Shearer, the former England and Newcastle striker, posted on X: 'What a stupid game football is!!!!' Another former England forward, Chris Sutton, said: 'To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers.' Tottenham supporters went online in their droves, mainly to vent their fury at the club' decision. One posted to Sky Sports: 'That night in Bilbao earned Ange the right to continue it next season. Gutted.' Tottenham fan Alfie Watts, who won BBC's Race Across the World in 2024, said he was 'fuming' over the sacking 'I'm fuming. I can't really get my head around it. I think it's a baffling decision,' Watts told BBC Radio. Also on BBC Radio, Spurs fan Jack Teasdale from Macclesfield, said: ' It just doesn't make sense to me. We wait 17 years for a trophy, we finally win a trophy in Bilbao and then we sack him and we're back to square one again. It's a shambles to be honest.' And from across the North London divide, an Arsenal supporter told the BBC: 'Spurs have achieved a trophy win and Champions League qualification. One more than us! Yet they lose their manager. Deserved longer in the role.'
