By Craig Kerry
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.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.Credit: Getty Images
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 and James McDonald winning the Show County Quality at Randwick last August.Credit: Getty
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.
“I’m not saying we won’t go, but it’s very unlikely.
“She’s drawn wide, which you’ve always got to respect in any race, so she needs a little bit of racing luck. If she gets it, she can fight the finish out. Obviously, a couple of others there are racing really well, but I’m happy with her.”
James McDonald, chasing a personal-best 15 Australian group 1s in a season, has the ride from gate nine of 10. Kerrin McEvoy rides Waller’s $41 shot in the race, Democracy Manifest, which is also likely to bypass the Stradbroke.
McDonald looks to have a tougher task with filly Belle Detelle, which will start in barrier 21.
“That extra 200 metres will suit her,” Waller said of the decision to race Belle Detelle in the Derby instead of the Oaks on Saturday.
“And we’ve got a few in the Oaks, so you try and find one that you can separate, but one that will also suit, so she being by Zed, she will appreciate 2500.
“The draw is not ideal, and we say that it’s a staying race, but in any race it’s so important to have an economical run, so my only instructions to James would be try and find some cover and make it a bit easier for the first half of the race.”
Waller also has last-start Rough Habit Plate winner Imperialist ($18) and Existential Bob ($41) in the Derby.
“Maybe it was just racing closer to the speed, so we’ll do the same again,” he said of Imperialist’s victory.
“He’s suspect at the trip, but hopefully on a good track he can get it.”
At Sydney’s feature meeting at Randwick, Waller has Cigar Flick ($12) and Kazou ($9) resuming in the listed Bob Charley AO Stakes.
“Cigar Flick goes well fresh and likes the soft track,” he said.
“Kazou has had a long break but she’s come back well. She had a few minor issues.”
