By John Schell
Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller will attempt to carry on from his success at The Championships at Randwick when he sends two talented middle-distance performers to Albury on Thursday in a bid to gain eligibility for the $3 million The Big Dance on the first Tuesday of November this year.
Waller will have Matusalem (Reece Jones) and Medatsu (Alysha Collett) starting from wide barriers when they contest the Listed $200,000 Commercial Club Albury – Albury Gold Cup (2000m).
Chris Waller has two runners at Albury aiming to qualify or the Big Dance.Credit: Getty Images
Medatsu and Matusalem last clashed in a race at Randwick on March 1, when they finished fourth and sixth respectively, behind Kings Valley. Medatsu has since had one more start for a ninth behind Ceolwulf in the group 2 Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill, while Matusalem has had two starts for a second in the Listed Canberra Cup and an eighth in the group 3 Easter Cup at Caulfield when beaten just over three lengths.
Waller said he expects both Albury-bound gallopers to perform well, adding they are well enough equipped in the ratings to be able to secure a start in The Big Dance should they run first or second to gain eligibility .
Local trainer Donna Scott looks certain to play a strong hand at the Albury Cup meeting when she kicks off the day with Villasaurus tackling the DLG Aluminium & Glazing Country Boosted Class 3 Handicap (1500m) with Blaike McDougall taking the ride.
Villasaurus just failed to qualify for the Country Championships Final at Randwick when finishing third in the SDRA Country Championships at Wagga behind Canny Hell. He has not started since March 1, but won a trial at Wagga on March 30 to be kept up to the mark for Thursday’s assignment.
Scott will also combine with McDougall when he partners the unbeaten One Hard Lady in the Allure Lash & Beauty Showcase Class 2 Handicap (1000m) and Notleanormean in the Carlton Draught Showcase Benchmark 58 Handicap (1175m).
Scott will also start Daze Off in the Lexus Of Wodonga Benchmark 74 Handicap (1400m) with Alysha Collett booked for the mount.
