Differing paths for Chris Waller's Queensland Derby trio
It's been anything bar a conventional leadup for Chris Waller's trio of runners in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The master trainer has won the race on three occasions, including with Kovalica and Kukeracha in the past four years and will saddle up three runners, headed by filly Belle Detelle.
A three-quarter sister to Verry Elleegant, Belle Detelle is aiming to become just the third filly to win the Queensland Derby this century, with Waller preferring the true mile-and-a-half journey over the 2200m of the Queensland Oaks.
She finished sixth to stablemate Imperalist in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 17, a run Waller said was more than acceptable given the circumstances.
'It was solid, it was a very wet track,' Waller said.
'She got a long way back and she finished off well. The barrier draw (is important), whether it's Eagle Farm or Doomben, doesn't matter where you're at.'
Unfortunately for connections, Belle Detelle has drawn barrier 21, which will come into 17 of 18 if emergencies fail to get a run, with James McDonald booked to ride.
While tactics remain a query for Belle Detelle, Waller confirmed Imperalist would be ridden similarly to last start when leading throughout to take the Rough Habit Plate at $61 odds.
'Imperialist surprised us a little bit. In the Australian Derby we went back to last and he never made an impact so we just sort of formed the opinion that he might not stay.'
'I asked Tommy Berry after the Rough Habit and he said 'no, he'll get further' so obviously ridden close to the speed the other day, we'll ride him similarly on Saturday.'
The trio is rounded out by last-start Ipswich winner Existential Bob, a gelding by Ocean Park that Waller himself owns alongside wife Stephanie
'Existential Bob won at Ipswich the other day. He's come up here to run in the Derby and he'll stay. He's by Ocean Park, he needs to improve but he's in there (with a chance) as well,' Waller said.
At $7, Belle Detelle is the second favourite in an open market headed by Statuario at $5, who finished second to Femminile ($8) in the South Australian Derby on May 3.
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