Top Sydney trainer Chris Waller proved he’s got what it takes to make it down south after dominating Victoria Derby Day on Saturday.
Victoria Derby winning trainer Chris Waller will aim to win his first Melbourne Cup with three runners. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
The trainer took home wins in two of the four Group One races, including the big one, and placed in the top three in the other two.
Preferment won the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) while Brazen Beau and Delectation finished one-two in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) for Waller. He’s Your Man finished runner-up in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and Catkins took home a minor placing in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m).
All in all it was a highly successful day for the trainer but the celebrations were cut short as he turned his attention to winning his first ever Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday.
Speaking after his win in the Victoria Derby, the trainer said: “It is a very important day today and to have a day like this is incredible. Hopefully we can continue the momentum on Tuesday.
“I have to say, I have been focused on this week and Tuesday has been playing second fiddle to now, but I know we are taking in three horses that are very fit and well.”
As he is wont to do, the trainer will dominate the 2014 Melbourne Cup field with three runners. Junoob, Who Shot Thebarman, and Opinion will all represent Waller in the $6.2 million feature race.
“Two of them have performed at 3200 metres before [Auckland Cup winner Who Shot Thebarman and Sydney Cup runner-up Opinion] and we have been waiting to get them to this trip,” the trainer told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We will get them there on the day ready to run the two miles and if they run to their best I will be happy.”
Junoob and Who Shot Thebarman are both $26 shots in the Melbourne Cup betting market at Ladbrokes.com.au while Opinion is out wide at $67.
Waller is at the top of his training game but a win in the big Australian four – the Golden Slipper, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and Melbourne Cup – have so far eluded him. Not that he’s complaining or stressing over the fact, considering he’s won seven Group One races this season and placed in another eight from his 39 runs.
“If I keep getting my horses ready the right way a major will come. I don’t know if it will be on Tuesday or in 10 years — I just do my best and let the horses show their best,” Waller said.
You could be $10 million richer this Melbourne Cup Day at Ladbrokes.com.au on a bet of just $1! All you have to do is back the first seven horses across the line in the Ladbrokes MegaFecta; if you get them all right you’ll win the $10 million grand prize.
