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Waller weekly news
03 APRIL, 2015
A familiar sight - Catkins and the Rosehill winning post.
The past week saw the stable enjoy cheering home three winners including Catkins who strengthened her title of ‘Australia’s
favourite racehorse’ with her Group 2 Emancipation Stakes win at Rosehill while talented stayer Loophole secrued his fourth
victory and Mrs Kennedy broke maiden ranks. Our Saturday however started on the worst possible note with the loss of one of the
stable’s gentlemen, He’s Your Man. Bred by Sven and Carina Hanson’s Fair Salinia and raced by them with some loyal stable clients,
we were fortunate to have him a part of our stable for the past 18 months. The decision has also been made to retire stable favourite
Permit so he heads out on the best possible note after his Group 3 Manion Cup win a fortnight ago. Having a special bond with head
foreperson Annie Trollope, who fed him more than his body weight in peppermints over the years, we look forward to keeping you
updated on his next phase of life.
The first day of The Championships promises plenty of exciting sport for the team with two great Derby chances in Preferment and
Quick Strike, Sacred Falls shooting for his third Doncaster alongside stable-mates Royal Descent, Moriarty and possibly young-gun
and talented filly Always Allison contesting the Sires’ Produce. The undercard is equally as exciting with Chris and Liam offering up
plenty of useful insights into our runners on the video preview - head to the website: www.cwallerracing.com to view it.
In addition to the racing action, the team is busy inspecting yearlings at the Inglis Randwick complex with the iconic Easter Sale
kicking off on Tuesday. If you’d like to catch up at the sales or be involved in any of the purchases, feel free to get in touch.
We wish you all the very best of luck over the next week!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
•WINNERS
• stable primed to regain spotlight at randwick,
always allison gets shot at the big time, getting
to know caitlin steer & photos.
www.cwallerracing.com | admin@cwallerracing.com | +612 9760 5700
CHRIS WALLER RACING - WINNERS THIS WEEK
CATKINS
6yo M by Dubawi - Salix Caprea by Catbird
The Ingham Family’s brilliant mare Catkins once again
showed why she is one of the darlings of Australian racing
when recording her 15th career victory in the Group 2
Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday. Of those
victories 11 have been at Listed and Group level with
Saturday’s pushing her earnings to just over $1.6 million.
Leading rider James McDonald was aboard the brilliant
mare for the first time, giving her a textbook ride. Having
begun brilliantly McDonald had her in second position
throughout tracking the leader and once they straightened
up he allowed her to cruise up to the front runner and only
had to change his hands and she quickened away for another
comprehensive victory. Her rider could afford to sit up late
and have a long look at the big screen such was the ease of
her victory. Having previously been agonizingly beaten at
the highest level, nobody would argue that this thoroughly
genuine mare deserves a Group 1 victory.
LOOPHOLE
5yo G by Lonhro - Better Alternative by Flying Spur
The enigmatic yet highly talented Loophole certainly put his
best foot forward at Rosehill on Wednesday in the 2000m
staying event. Ridden by Tommy Berry and seeming to relish
the softer underfoot conditions, the half brother to stable
star Preferment raced away for a dominant victory. His
rider gave him plenty of time to settle early at the rear of
the field before coming with a sustained run in the straight
before sprinting away to score by a widening margin of
over four lengths. This win was the fourth career victory
for Loophole and Debbie and Paul Kepitis who race him
in partnership with Peter and Patty Tighe will be hoping
for a similar result on Saturday when his younger brother
Preferment, in whom they share in the ownership, lines up
in the ATC Derby.
MRS KENNEDY
3yo F by Fastnet Rock - Miss Jakeo by Unbridled Song
The promising daughter of leading sire Fastnet Rock
recorded her initial success in the 1500m maiden for fillies
and mares at Newcastle last Saturday. This was only her third
race day appearance having shown promise when placed
on debut. On Saturday her rider Thomas Huet settled her
in a great position throughout the race in fourth place in
the nine runner field. She travelled well during the race
and was ready to strike in third position with 400m left to run. Once her rider set her alight she put the race to bed and went on
to score a comfortable maiden success for her owner and breeder Gerry Harvey. We wish Mr Harvey and Jonathan Wood the best
of luck with star mare Royal Descent tackling the Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick tomorrow. Jonathan won the Aushorse
competition to name her first foal for a share in her for the day - his fitting winning submission ‘Crown Affair’.
Thanks to Bradley Photographers and
Darryl Sherer for our weekly photos.
www.bradleyphotos.com.au
CAPTION
COMPETITION
Last week saw our first caption competiton with Wayne
Albers suggestion getting the most laughs out of the team
for this photo of Paul Kepitis looking admirably at Liam.
‘Is that just gel in your hair Liam?’
At risk of becoming the Liam and Paul show, here’s
another featuring the two this week thanks to a selfie
at the races on Saturday with bloodstock agent, Guy
Mulcaster, the Group One master.
Thanks to Prestige Hire Cars, the best caption as judged
by the office girls will get a $100 voucher and a CWR
prize. Email your submission to haylie@cwallerracing.
com by COB Wednesday 8 April.
If anyone would like to offer up a prize and have their
business featured in the newsletter alongisde this, let
Haylie know. We’re also on the lookout for more photos
for the caption competition so if you have something
suitable, send it in.
Premier trainer Chris Waller primed to
regain autumn spotlight at Randwick
Gai Waterhouse had her usual Golden Slipper fun, John O’Shea did his best to paint Rosehill Gardens Godolphin blue — now it’s
time for premier trainer Chris Waller to finally wake from his Sydney autumn slumber and dominate The Championships. Australia’s
top trainer has been unusually quiet the past month when it comes to local Group 1 racing, with 27 runners contesting nine majors
for just five placings. That for a man who leads Waterhouse 9-5 in Group 1 wins this season. But that could change on Saturday,
with Waller to start ATC Australian Derby favourite Preferment, as well as two-time Doncaster Mile winner Sacred Falls in the $3
million Randwick feature.
Waller told The Daily Telegraph it was Doncaster day 2011 when he learnt a lesson about Group 1 expectations.
“I went to bed before the Doncaster that year, thinking, ‘we’ll win this race tomorrow’, with three good chances in Triple Elegance,
Danleigh and Syreon,’’ Waller said. “But it rained all night, it was a wet track, and we didn’t get sighted. I remember walking away
that day feeling so despondent.
“Seven days later, we won the Sydney Cup (with Stand To Gain) and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (My Kingdom Of Fife) when we
weren’t expected to.
“That’s racing.You have good days and bad days, but you can never walk away from a racecourse thinking you own it because things
can change very quickly.’’
Preferment went the closest to winning a Sydney Group 1 when just nosed out in the Rosehill Guineas. He won the VRC Derby in
the spring and, as Waller said, “it was a matter of getting him back to the level he was at in the spring, and he looks like he’s there’’.
Sacred Falls must lump 58kg topweight in the Doncaster, while Waller likes Royal Descent, who ran second to Sacred Falls last year.
A third runner, three-year-old Kermadec, is given a hope, but is second emergency and sweating on a start. Should he miss out, he’s
likely to be saved for the All Aged Stakes in a fortnight.
“Sacred Falls was only fair last start, but he’s fit, he won with a bit up his sleeve last year, and that’s why I’m hoping he can carry that
extra weight this year,’’ Waller said.
“Royal Descent carries the same weight as last year and is coming off a terrific run. But like Sacred Falls (barrier 20), she’s drawn
wide (18).’’
Always Allison contests the Group 1 Sires’ Produce on Saturday with Joao “The Magic Man’’ Moreira to steer.
Waller’s office has a wall full of photos of his Group 1 wins. There’s room for two more before he’ll need to find more space. He
joked he might need that new wall come Sunday. Either way, it’s likely to be filled by the end of The Championships with Cox
Plate winner Adelaide to run in next Saturday’s $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Catkins to start favourite in the Queen Of The
Turf, and Winx and Ballet Suite live ATC Oaks hopes. The sleeping giant might finally awake this Sydney autumn. Source: Christian
Nicolussi, Herald Sun.
Always Allison get her shot at the
big time in the Sires Produce Stakes
Champion trainer Chris Waller has learnt not to dwell on the past when it comes to his horses but that has been difficult with Always
Allison.The talented filly arrived at his stables after Golden Slipper nominations had closed and there was always the feeling that
could be an opportunity missed.
But it is one she could make up for in the Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
"She wasn't in the Slipper, so it wasn't really in our thinking. However, once they start to do what she did, you think about it,"
Waller said. "But it wasn't mean to be.
"There aren't that many group 1s for two-year-old so when you have a filly like her you want to try at that level."
Always Allison won her debut at Warwick Farm before scoring in the Sweet Embrace Stakes, which opened the door on the
possibility of paying a late entry for the Golden Slipper. It came down to the Magic Night Stakes. But luck deserted the More Than
Ready filly as she was held-up and checked in the straight, going to the line really untested.
"She had no luck last start and was very good before that," Waller said. "It was the Percy Sykes or the Sires and I would rather go a
week earlier and it is a group 1.
"She is ready to race, but you are always thinking have we gone one run too many with her but I don't think we have left it on the
track with her." Joao Moreira has been booked for the ride on Always Allison but will need to be at his best to overcome barrier 11.
"It is another one of those things you can't do anything about," Waller said. "You talk a lot about barriers before a race but rarely
after it and I think she should get her chance over the 1400m."
Waller has a strong influence on the Doncaster with Sacred Falls, Royal Descent and Moriarty assured runs and the Australian Derby
favourite in Preferment, which returned to his best in the Rosehill Guineas when photo finished by Volkstok'n'barrell.
"He showed in the Rosehill Guineas he just needed to get to a trip," Waller said.
"I think he will be a dominate group 1 horse at 2400m and he has improved since that run.
"He showed at Flemington how strong he is over the extra trip, even when he was three-wide and I think he will be hard to beat
again." Source: Chris Roots, Sydney Morning Herald.
GETTING TO KNOW caitlin steer
Rosehill-based strapper Caitlin Steer grew up in the Southern Highlands
and started riding at age eight. Dressage is her true passion and her dream
was always to compete for the Australian team at the Olympics.
When she was old enough, Caitlin started volunteering at riding camps
during the school holidays at Centennial Park Equestrian Centre and once
old enough to actually work, moved around through different dressage
stables.
On the thoroughbred side, she also got valuable experience working at
Arrowfield Stud for a few months including helping at the Magic Millions
sales. Said Caitlin of her riding opportunities these days “I don’t get to ride
much now but I get my horsey fill every day working with the beautiful
animals I have the privilege of being involved with at Chris Waller Racing.”
Nickname? Cait, Caitie, Kitty.
Best quote? So many books, so little time.
Favourite part of the job? Working with such incredible horses and
learning as much as I can!
Favourite horse? Catkins (or Kittykins as I like to call her)! She’s
probably the most perfect horse I’ve ever dealt with and it’s a complete
privilege getting to handle her every day.
Best horse ever seen? Black Caviar.
Role model? Both of my parents. They’re the strongest two people I’ve ever encountered and they work their butts off.
Favourite food? Chicken schnitzel and chips.
Favourite jockey? Tye Angland. He always rides to the best of his ability and I trust him to get the absolute best out of my horses.
If you weren’t in racing, what would you have done? Probably become a cat vet!
If you could invite two people for dinner, who would you invite? My late grandpa Peter and Stephen King.
Event in the world that you would most like to attend? The FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Las Vegas.
What would you do with your last $5? Buy an old copy of Misery by Stephen King.
Tip for the weekend? Royal Descent. This is her year!
Who Am I? Moriarty! Congratulations to Tony Ristevski, part owner in Hawkspur, who
correctly guessed the Group 1 winning silhouette in last week’s newsletter.
Posers - Loophole and Catkins!
Paul Kepitis and Peter and
Patty Tighe celebrate Loophole’s win.
Modrich looking the part at the
Flemington jump outs.
Justine and Redioactive.
Double Happy trying out
his selfie stick in the pool.
Jarred and Permit.
Sacred Falls and Rob.
‘I hope that’s
all for me’
Sozzini.
Two of our more fashionable owners resorted to their lucky pants and shoes
at the races on Wednesday, resulting in Loophole winning!
More of this please!
Getting the Royal Treatment - Royal Descent having a massage ahead
of her big assignment tomorrow - The Doncaster!
Jazz and
Our Voodoo
Prince.
Celebrating another brilliant Catkins victory for the Ingham Family.
Devinder and
She’s Clean.