Trainer Chris Waller saddles up Changing Colours at Randwick
Trainer Chris Waller is eager to get a better guide on what the future holds for Crossbow and Kokatahi as the promising duo highlight their stakes potential at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Waller said he had a good opinion of both gallopers and would give them an opportunity to snare a late season juvenile win in the Schweppes 2YO Handicap (1400m).
'It's a great time of year to learn about horses and for them to learn about racing and some surprise you and some disappoint you,' Waller said.
'Until they are under race pressure, you don't learn much especially when you get slowly run races and things like that.
'Horses need to have three or four runs and you get a pretty good gauge where they are going to be for the rest of their career.'
• 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!
Waller got a decent guide on both horses when the pair clashed first-up against another of his smart young prospects, Central Coast.
The trio made up a Waller-trained trifecta at Canterbury Park on June 18 when Central Coast got out in time to score in a 1250m event from Crossbow and Kokatahi.
Crossbow ($4.60) is rated the better of Waller's chance to breakthrough on Saturday with Kokatahi at $15.
Crossbow, to be ridden by Jason Collett, was an acceptor in an 1100m juvenile event at Rosehill Gardens last weekend but was saved for another week to be stretched over more ground.
'We put him in an 1100m last week because we thought it's going to be a wet track, it's going to be a tough ask but I think 1400m suits him better,' Waller said.
'We think he is good enough to get to a Group 3 kind of horse so you'd expect him to keep improving and getting.'
• ATC chairman resigns over Rosehill sale 'lost opportunity'
Kokatahi, a son of 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan, was only having his first start against his stablemates last month and is expected to relish the added trip of Saturday's assignment.
'He's drawn well (barrier five) and 1400m will suit him a lot better,' Waller said.
'I would like to see horses like him come out and say he's a Gloaming Stakes, Spring Champion Stakes horse or we give him a bit more time and you go down the Carbine Club route.
'That's where I am thinking with horses like him.
'He is a bigger, stronger mile type so we are expecting some good things.'
Waller is a strong chance of book ending the Sydney card with last start winner Changing Colours ($4 favourite) to go in search of back-to-back victories in the Precise Air Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) with Collett aboard.
Changing Colours started her preparation with four consecutive city placings in Melbourne before coming back to Waller's home track and excelling with an emphatic win on June 28.
Waller tossed up stepping up Changing Colours over more ground but has elected to keep the mare over 1400m.
• Schiller awaits all clear to return from injury
'She could have run in the mile race against the boys or an 1800m race and we will try her over those distances, at least 1800m,' he said.
'But I don't want to fall into the trap that she's by The Autumn Sun and will need further because they are actually quite sharp horses.
'It's the same distance and same kind of race she won last start when she won with a bit in hand from a wide draw going back.
'This start she has a bit more weight from a good draw so it's the perfect race for her.'
Waller, who has had a record 19 Group 1 winners for the campaign, will have a typically competitive hand across the Randwick card.
Canpikapony ($41) will hunt consecutive wins in the Petaluma Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) while Misterkipchoge ($6) and Bright Red ($8.50) line up in the Toyota Forklifts Benchmark 78 (1800m).
Age Of Kings ($23), Kirkeby ($15), Canberra Legend ($41) and Pippie Beach ($3.20) are all in the Eremein Benchmark 88 Handicap (1800m) while Travolta ($31) contests the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m).
Originally published as Chris Waller juveniles Crossbow, Kokatahi to join Changing Colours at Royal Randwick on Saturday
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
3 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Running champion Faith Kipyegon on dreaming big and backing yourself
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. When Faith Kipyegon attempted to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes, the world sat up and took notice. Body+Soul was on the ground in Paris to witness history in the making, and spoke to this sporting trailblazer about destiny, dreaming big, and the unstoppable rise of female athletes. There are middle-distance athletes, and then there's Faith Kipyegon. One of the most decorated sportswomen Kenya has ever produced, the four-time Olympian collects world records like other people eat hot breakfasts. Having famously grown up running races barefoot in her home country, the 31-year-old is the current world record holder in both the 1500 metres and the mile, has competed at four Olympics – London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris – and has three gold medals stacked into an ever-growing trophy cabinet. But when she stepped out onto the blue athletics track of Stade Charléty in Paris on June 26, it was an attempt to do something truly audacious – to become the first woman in history to ever run a mile in under four minutes. Since British athlete Roger Bannister became the first person to break this barrier in 1954, more than 2,000 men have gone on to do so. But, until now, no woman had dared try to challenge this iconic sporting signifier – something many say is physically impossible. Sporting giant Nike put everything into backing Kipyegon's epic moonshot, producing a two-part documentary series following her journey to the Breaking4 start line. Months was devoted to its execution, and Paris was precisely chosen as the location to ensure perfect temperature, humidity, wind speed and conditions. But it was Kipyegon's custom-designed race kit – made specifically for this event – that created serious buzz in running circles. A dedicated team of Nike experts, researchers and innovators deployed the full power of sports science to develop high-tech gear built to support maximum speed and performance. The kit included a first-of-its-kind Nike Fly Suit covered in 3D-printed 'aeronodes', custom spikes with a carbon plate and titanium pins weighing just 85 grams, plus a body-mapped, moisture-wicking (and heat-controlling) Fly Web bra so light it's almost undetectable. Then – once the training and meticulous planning was done – this mother-of-one emerged from the stadium tunnel carrying a Kenyan flag on a warm Paris night, surrounded by a fleet of 13 hand-picked pacers, including Aussie running legend Stewart McSweyn. The deafening roar from an ecstatic 2000-strong crowd signalled what it meant. As the gun went off and she followed yellow pacing lights around the track with the kind of focus and intensity that's rare to see – and millions more watched around the globe and willed her on via livestream – it was clear this was a moment that mattered, on and off the track. Lathered in sweat and crossing the finish line in a time of 4:06:46 – Kipyegon smashed her own world record by more than a second – and helped reshape running history. While she may not have broken four (this time), the attempt did something arguably even more important: demonstrating that being bold and backing yourself is the only way to live. You are the world-record holder for the women's 1500 metres and the mile, a four-time world champion and an Olympic Games gold and silver medallist. With so many big moments in your career, how do you prepare for them, and where do you draw your deepest sense of belief from? I would say being mentally strong and believing in everything I do. Believing in the training, believing in everything I've been – from when I was running barefoot [in Kenya], to where I am now. It's really given me that drive. There are challenges in everything a person does. I wake up before everybody else, get up around 5.40am, then go for my run about 6am, and that can be challenging. But it's about dreaming you want to achieve more in your career. What motivates me is knowing we can't limit ourselves – especially as women. That's really helped me to work hard in every training session that I do. Last month you beat your current world record and were just six seconds shy of becoming the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes – an attempt that took an enormous amount of tenacity and grit. Is that something you've learnt from anyone in particular, or has that always been within you? I was so surprised to see an almost full stadium cheering me on [during the attempt], I really didn't expect that many people to be there. The crowd really pushed me to run fast. I feel so proud of myself that I tried. I take this [mindset] from my mentor, Eliud [Kipchoge]. He ran 2.00 in Breaking2 [his attempt to become the first man to run a marathon in under two hours.] Then, on the second attempt in Vienna, he made it to run 1.59. You learn from the mistakes or you learn from the process. And I think for me, Breaking4 was that. It allowed me to see that everything is possible. With your accolades to date, your history-making attempt in Paris and a six-year-old daughter, Alyn, how do you hope to inspire the next generation? This attempt was all about sending a message to women, to the older ones, and to the next generation of young adults that we have to dream big. I didn't want to hold back and regret later that I could have done this better, or I could've done that better. I just wanted to run my race, execute as fast as possible, and see what the finish line could offer. I was just happy that the team believed in me, that I was capable of running below four minutes in the mile. This race was about showing the world that we have to push…you have to wake up in the morning and just go for that thing you want because it will never just come to you. I know that one day, one time, [the world record for running a sub-4 minute mile] will be in another woman's hand. So many people don't discover running until they're adults, but as a child growing up in rural Kenya, you covered 10 miles a day running to and from school. In order to find new athletes, how do we spot and develop new talent? Well, I'm so happy that in my country there are so many youth camps in schools where they develop young talent. Baranaba Korir [head of youth development for Athletics Kenya] is empowering the next generation, and it really gives me hope seeing young girls and boys training, running in school competitions, youth and championships meets. I see the next generation of athletics and believe it will bring another Faith, another Eliud Kipchoge. I think we are in safe hands at the moment. Paris was specifically chosen for Breaking4. What does it mean to you, and what was the most important piece of training that gave you the confidence to take on such an audacious goal? Paris is like my second home, and will always remain in my heart. This is where I broke the 5,000 metre world record after breaking another world record in Florence. For this attempt, it was the track and speed sessions that made the biggest difference. If I can do 62 times eight with a very small recovery, I got so confident and only need a little bit of endurance to be where I am. You've competed at four Olympics – London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris – and countless World Athletics meets. Is there a difference between races like Breaking4 where you're essentially competing against yourself, and races when you're competing against your peers? Well, yes, that's a test of patience. This was totally different compared to when I'm racing in the Olympics or World Championships. There, we are running for a gold medal, to be the first to cross the finish line, but this is life. Rapid-fire round Favourite pre-race pump-up song: 'Try Everything' by Shakira Dream post-run meal: A burger and fries If you weren't a runner, you'd be: Maybe a teacher Most memorable sporting moment: Winning my first Olympic gold in Rio Go-to running shoe: The new Nike Vomero Premium Biggest mentor: My teammate and training partner, Eliud Kipchoge Originally published as Running champion Faith Kipyegon on dreaming big and backing yourself
Mercury
6 hours ago
- Mercury
AFL Sydney superstar Isaac Heeney's record-breaking day leads Swans post North Melbourne Kangaroos
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Sydney have kept their highly improbable finals hopes alive for another week with a 31-point victory over an uninspiring North Melbourne outfit at the SCG. The Kangaroos briefly hit the front early in the second term, but never got back within striking distance for the rest of the match as the Swans won 11.10 (76) to 6.10 (46). FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Superstar Isaac Heeney was the star of the show with his sixth-ever five-goal haul at AFL level, before being dragged to the bench with half a dozen minutes to play in the match. The 29-year-old finished the match with 34 disposals — 16 contested – 13 clearances, 11 score involvements, nine inside 50s and five majors to finish with one of the games of the 2025 season. Isaac Heeney dominated in a record-breaking performance. (Photo by Phil Hillyard) It was also revealed Heeney's combination of at least five goals and more than 11 clearances had never been achieved in the same game in AFL history. For North, the absence of star ruck Tristan Xerri was sorely missed, as replacement ruck Callum Coleman-Jones went down with a calf injury before quarter-time in his first AFL game for 477 days. It meant rival star Brodie Grundy spearheaded a ruck bloodbath to register 22 disposals, 62 hit-outs and 11 clearances before being rested for the final 11 minutes of the match. 'Xerri's not playing, he's been their driver (and) dynamo all season — but no one's really stepped up in and around,' 1988 Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy said as the final siren at the SCG loomed. The Swans have now won 13 of their past 14 games against North Melbourne, including a current streak of 10 victories. North last came up trumps against the Bloods back in Round 7, 2018. By extension, the Roos have also lost 13 of their past 16 games at the SCG. 'Isaac Heeney destroyed this game today … who from the Kangaroos of those elite picks can go to that level?' two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King said on Super Saturday Live post-game. While Heeney was dominating, fellow star Errol Gulden was penalised for a highly unusual abuse call in the third quarter. With two minutes left in the term, Nick Blakey and Gulden exchanged a handpass one-two, with the 'Lizard's' errant handpass setting Gulden a task. He tried to handpass to Heeney, but the umpire had called the ball out of play and it's fair to say the All Australian wasn't happy. Errol Gulden had some choice words for the umpire. Photo: Fox Sports Gulden threw his arms out before taking out his mouthguard so he could send some obviously choice words in the umpire's direction The umpire swiftly said: 'Free kick North Melbourne. Free kick for abuse.' Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy: 'Gee we haven't seen an abuse free kick paid in a long time. Dissent. We haven't seen that. 'Fair enough though, that is the rule. It's just unusual in season 2025 for it to get paid.' Mark Howard added: 'It did look rather vehement from Errol. Now the crowd are also showing a touch of dissent. Heeney and former Swan Luke Parker at the SCG. (Photo by Phil Hillyard) While it wasn't always pretty, Sydney remains alive in the finals race after wearing down North Melbourne and all eyes were on that man Heeney. From early in the contest, his Swans teammates were understandably lowering their eyes trying to pick him out inside 50. 'They are trying to isolate him almost every time Isaac Heeney when he pushes into that forward line,' Healy noted. 'He can get you in the air and he can get you on the ground.' Dual All-Australian Montagna at half-time pondered whether North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson would seek a different matchup for the unstoppable Swan. 'Isaac Heeney's first half; you can't do much more — 19 disposals, five inside-50s, six score involvements, he's kicked a couple himself and he has eight clearances,' Montagna said. Brodie Grundy also had a day out for the Swans. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/for Getty Images) 'He is doing absolutely everything and that's why he's one of the best players in the competition. 'Maybe they might have to find a different matchup — Tom Powell trying to go with him at clearance but just doesn't have the size or class to match. So, it'll be interesting if Clarko decides to make a change.' Just a few minutes into the third quarter, Heeney reeled in a high Hayden McLean entry with one hand, prompting caller Mark Howard to remark: 'He can do it all, this man.' 'He's just playing with them, Isaac Heeney,' Montagna added in reaction. North Melbourne closed the gap to 12 points at the final change, but couldn't get any closer as Heeney kicked a goal in the first minute of the fourth and then another before taking a rest on the bench in the closing stages. Originally published as Isaac Heeney's record-breaking day leads Sydney past North Melbourne
Courier-Mail
7 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Leap To Fame races to Inter Dominion glory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' • 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! Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Arcee Phoenix wins the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final Picture: Dan Costello Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. PHOTOS: Dan Costello Originally published as Superstar pacer Leap To Fame streaks to effortless Inter Dominion victory
