Waller's long shot could stun intriguing field at Hawkesbury
The Waller stable accepted for eight runners in Thursday's Listed feature Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury in what looms as an intriguing betting race.
Ironically, though, it was the first of two Joe Pride-trained runners – tough seven-year-old Estadio Mestalla – who opened a wide $5.00 favourite to claim a seventh career win at his 30th start.
And in a race seemingly with many each way chances, Waller's charges were even behind Victorian raider Coco Sun who sat on the second line of betting around $6.50.
But parked on the early $7.00 line was the most fascinating of his runners, seven-year-old mare River Of Stars, returning for her first start since a fighting third in the Group 1 Sydney Cup over two miles in mid-April.
A staying type who will naturally be set for much longer trips in spring, River Of Stars – who narrowly missed winning a Group 1 in Europe before he was sold Down Under – resumes off two typical improving trials on rain-affected ground.
Yet it's a less-heralded stablemate, priced at around $12.00 in early betting, who can upset the lot.
Etna Rosso, a sparingly raced six-year-old gelding, also resumes but with a little more residual fitness on his side after a progressive campaign in Queensland.
He finished hard to be beaten just over a length in the Group 3 Premier Cup at Eagle Farm in late May before again running home to claim all but the winner in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup over 3200m.
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Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Waller's long shot could stun intriguing field at Hawkesbury
It's not unusual for the Chris Waller training juggernaut to dominate a black type middle distance feature close to spring, but the big surprise might be one of his less fancied runners stealing the show. The Waller stable accepted for eight runners in Thursday's Listed feature Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury in what looms as an intriguing betting race. Ironically, though, it was the first of two Joe Pride-trained runners – tough seven-year-old Estadio Mestalla – who opened a wide $5.00 favourite to claim a seventh career win at his 30th start. And in a race seemingly with many each way chances, Waller's charges were even behind Victorian raider Coco Sun who sat on the second line of betting around $6.50. But parked on the early $7.00 line was the most fascinating of his runners, seven-year-old mare River Of Stars, returning for her first start since a fighting third in the Group 1 Sydney Cup over two miles in mid-April. A staying type who will naturally be set for much longer trips in spring, River Of Stars – who narrowly missed winning a Group 1 in Europe before he was sold Down Under – resumes off two typical improving trials on rain-affected ground. Yet it's a less-heralded stablemate, priced at around $12.00 in early betting, who can upset the lot. Etna Rosso, a sparingly raced six-year-old gelding, also resumes but with a little more residual fitness on his side after a progressive campaign in Queensland. He finished hard to be beaten just over a length in the Group 3 Premier Cup at Eagle Farm in late May before again running home to claim all but the winner in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup over 3200m.
The Age
5 hours ago
- The Age
Waller's long shot could stun intriguing field at Hawkesbury
It's not unusual for the Chris Waller training juggernaut to dominate a black type middle distance feature close to spring, but the big surprise might be one of his less fancied runners stealing the show. The Waller stable accepted for eight runners in Thursday's Listed feature Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury in what looms as an intriguing betting race. Ironically, though, it was the first of two Joe Pride-trained runners – tough seven-year-old Estadio Mestalla – who opened a wide $5.00 favourite to claim a seventh career win at his 30th start. And in a race seemingly with many each way chances, Waller's charges were even behind Victorian raider Coco Sun who sat on the second line of betting around $6.50. But parked on the early $7.00 line was the most fascinating of his runners, seven-year-old mare River Of Stars, returning for her first start since a fighting third in the Group 1 Sydney Cup over two miles in mid-April. A staying type who will naturally be set for much longer trips in spring, River Of Stars – who narrowly missed winning a Group 1 in Europe before he was sold Down Under – resumes off two typical improving trials on rain-affected ground. Yet it's a less-heralded stablemate, priced at around $12.00 in early betting, who can upset the lot. Etna Rosso, a sparingly raced six-year-old gelding, also resumes but with a little more residual fitness on his side after a progressive campaign in Queensland. He finished hard to be beaten just over a length in the Group 3 Premier Cup at Eagle Farm in late May before again running home to claim all but the winner in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup over 3200m.
The Australian
16 hours ago
- The Australian
2025 Winx Stakes: Can Via Sistina score Randwick repeat?
Champion Via Sistina is attempting to become the oldest mare to win a Group 1 race in 80 years at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Via Sistina, the Horse of the Year-elect, makes her eight-year-old season debut in the $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m). If the Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina can go back-to-back in the Winx Stakes, she will become the first eight-year-old mare since Tranquil Star in 1945 to win at Group 1 level. Tranquil Star won the Mackinnon (now Champions) Stakes at Flemington that year, the ninth win of her remarkable career in races recognised today as having Group 1 status. She also won two Cox Plates (1942, 1944) and a Caulfield Cup (1942) and was eventually retired having had 111 starts for 23 wins and 32 placings. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! It is unusual for top class mares to race on as long as Tranquil Star as most are retired to stud although that trend has changed a little with the inflated prizemoney of the modern era. Winx, also trained by Waller, was retired after her seven-year-old season on the back of a 33-race winning streak including her world record 25th at Group 1 level in her farewell race, the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Makybe Diva retired in a blaze of glory as a seven-year-old mare after she won her third successive Melbourne Cup in 2005. But Via Sistina is in rarefied air if she can win at Group 1 level as an eight-year-old mare. She is the early TAB Fixed Odds favourite at $2.80 for Saturday's big race. Horse of the year elect Via Sistina is chasing more history this campaign. • RICHARD CALLANDER: Racing's rumour mill at its best with Shenandoah shenanigans Waller believes age hasn't yet caught up with the Irish-bred Via Sistina: 'Probably the opposite,'' the Hall of Fame trainer said when the question was put to him. 'She has taken time to acclimatise. She is well-rounded without being too heavy. She is as bright as anything, exactly where you need her to be.'' Waller, who is chasing a ninth win in the Winx Stakes, said there had been 'no need to change anything' with Via Sistina's preparation going into the new season. 'She knows the drill,'' he said. 'We just don't complicate it.'' • Private Harry, Briasa step up Everest preparations with scintillating trial wins Via Sistina is relatively sparingly raced for an eight-year-old, having had 24 starts for 13 career wins. She is aiming to become only the seventh mare to win at least 10 Group 1 races on Saturday. Since the Group and Listed race classification system was officially introduced in 1979, the only mares to achieve this feat are Winx (25 Group 1 wins), Black Caviar (15), Melody Belle (14), Sunline (13), Verry Elleegant (11) and Imperatriz (10). But Via Sistina won't lack for opposition on Saturday with the Winx Stakes having 18 elite entries. • Mitch Cohen's Blackbook: Five to follow from Rosebud day at Rosehill Gardens There are no fewer than 13 individual Group 1 winners including Via Sistina nominated for the Randwick sprint. The others are Aeliana, Another Wil, Arapaho, Ceowulf, Fangirl, Full Count Felicia, Gringotts, Lady Shenandoah, Light Infantry Man, Lindermann, Mr Brightside and Zardozi. Waller, who has nominated seven horses for the Winx Stakes, has indicated Lady Shenandoah might be reserved for a sprint campaign while $17 million earner Mr Brightside is expected to be kept for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield next week.
