waller weekly news - Chris Waller Racing

Waller weekly news
6 may 2016
This week saw our great, no fuss, galloper Amovatio again rewarding his lucky connections with another black-type
victory. Having won at Listed level twice, he snared a Group Three on Saturday at Hawkesbury and took his earnings over
the $800,000 mark. The win was also a pleasing for stable apprentice Rory Hutchings and a good reward for his recent
focus and dedication.
Tattersall’s HIT Sale purchase Hipparchus and Kiwi import Mackintosh added to the day’s excitement at Hawkesbury
with their wins hinting that there’s a lot more to come from these two progressive gallopers. The same can be said for
our week-day winners in Vassal, Harlem Lady and Zoustar’s little sister, Ciarlet.
The first of our Queensland Carnival runners step out this weekend with the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes looking a tough
contest at the Gold Coast with the stable represented by Kool Kompany, Spiritjim and Strawberry Boy. This race has
been won in the past by stable ‘war horses’ like Metal Bender and My Kingdom of Fife. In addition to the Gold Coast we
have runners aplenty in Sydney and Melbourne. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend with plenty of racing
luck!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
•WINNERs
• News, getting to know Renee Johns & photos
www.cwallerracing.com | [email protected] | +612 9760 5700
CHRIS WALLER RACING - WINNERS THIS WEEK
amovatio
5yo G Al Maher - Grand Ovation by Scenic
This consistent son of Al Maher has been a great
servant to connections and he added a Group
Three win to his resume when taking out the
Hawkesbury Gold Cup on Saturday over 1600m.
Rory Hutchings was on board and he produced
a great ride to bring Amovatio from the rear of
the field to sweep to the front inside the final
furlong to score a brilliant win. This was a ninth
career victory for Amovatio and the prize money
earned took his total career earnings to just shy of
$820,000!
Mackintosh
3yo G Pins - Lolly Scramble by Generous
This former New Zealand galloper was having his
first run for the CWR team at Hawkesbury on
Saturday and he made the best possible start when
winning easily under Brenton Avdulla.
Having jumped smartly from a good barrier
draw in the 1500m event, Mackintosh was always
travelling strongly at the head of affairs and he
fought off all challengers in the straight to score
comfortably in the finish. A trip to Queensland is
now on the agenda for this promising son of Pins.
hipparchus
4yo G Champs Elysees - Brightest by Rainbow
Quest
Hipparchus was another imported galloper to
make it back to back victories when winning at
Hawkesbury on Saturday over 2100m.
In the colours of Francis and Christine Cook
this British bred son of Champs Elysees stepped
up in class on Saturday but took it in his stride.
Jockey Brenton Avdulla settled him at the rear
of the field early on before bringing him with
a sustained challenge in the straight to score in
determined fashion.
Thanks to Bradley Photographers and
darryl sherer for our weekly photos.
www.bradleyphotos.com.au
vassal
4yo G Dansili - Vituisa by Bering
This imported son of Dansili made it back to back
victories when winning at Kembla on Tuesday over
2000m.
Jason Collett settled Vassal just worse than midfield early
on before unleashing his mount with a strong run in the
straight to score a gutsy win. Vassal is working his way
through his grades nicely and looks a promising stayer for
the future`.
harlem lady
4yo M Zabeel - Jazzella by Black Minnaloushe
This daughter of the legendary Zabeel returned from
a spell in the best possible fashion when scoring an
impressive victory at Warwick Farm on Wednesday over
1400m.
Rory Hutchings was in the saddle and he settled his
mount at the rear of the field during the early stages
before bringing her with a sustained run down the centre
of the track to win easily at the finish. Now reaching
maturity, we expect bigger and better things to come
from this talented staying mare.
CIARLET
3yo F Northern Meteor - Zouzou by Redoute’s Choice
Zoustar’s younger sister got off the mark in impressive
fashion when winning her maiden at Gosford on
Thursday over 1100m.
In form apprentice Rory Hutchings was on board
sporting the Qatar Bloodstock silks and the partnership
were always traveling strongly at the head of affairs
before sprinting away in the straight to win by over seven
lengths at the line.
Weekly video preview!
Make the boys day and click on the
image to the left to go to this week’s
video update with plenty of valuable
insights into our runners
this weekend!
Mackintosh and Hutchings lead
Kiwi charge at Hawkesbury
Mackintosh, Rory Hutchings and his boss Chris Waller kept the Kiwi flag flying in Australia during the weekend.
The Chris Waller-trained Mackintosh made a winning start to life as a true blue Australian when leading most of the way to score in
the Fishboy Seafoods Handicap at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
Mackintosh arrived at Waller’s stable with a reputation after winning two of his three New Zealand starts.
The son of Pins tackled the Randwick Guineas for former trainer James Bridge but weakened out of the race to finish more than
eight lengths from the winner, Le Romain.
Bred by Waikato Stud, Mackintosh initially raced for Bridge and his father John but was on-sold to Kiwis Lib Petagna, Tony Muollo
and Tony Muollo senior.
Waller will now take him to Queensland for the Rough Habit Plate in two weeks.
He is hoping Mackintosh can progress to the Group I Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11. Waller also played a
big hand in Hutchings’ success.
A daily check of his weight in front of his boss may have saved the Australian career of apprentice jockey Hutchings.
Hutchings celebrated his first stakes
success for his master Waller at
Hawkesbury on Saturday aboard
Amovatio, only for the leading trainer
to reveal how he has had to keep the
21-year-old focused on his job of riding
for the high-profile stable.
“We make him weigh in every morning.
Every morning he comes and weighs in
in the office,” Waller said. “And by that
time we get a chance to have a quick
chat to him as well to make sure he is
eating properly and doing everything
right.”
Hutchings, who served his time in
New Zealand with Graeme and Debbie
Rogerson at Tuhikaramea, is on a strict
diet constantly maintaining, it and
currently able to ride at 56kg.
“It’s good to have him [Waller] looking over my shoulder,” Hutchings told Radio Trackside on Monday.
“I’m trying to eat right and healthy and eventually I will try and get down to 55kg.
“I’m lucky enough Chris has believed in me and given me the opportunities.”
Amovatio and Hutchings found the best part of the track closest to the outside fence to finish over the top of Mighty Lucky to win
by a half length.
A multiple champion apprentice in New Zealand, Hutchings has battled weight and suspension since moving to Sydney to link with
Waller, who says Sydney racing can be an unforgiving environment for an out-of-sorts apprentice and Hutchings admitted he was
close to quitting.
“I thought about [going back to New Zealand] a few times when suspensions and my weight were getting me a bit down,” he said.
Amovatio’s win was Hutchings’ 21st city grade winner for the season and he has extended his Sydney apprentices’ title lead over
Winona Costin.
“I come out of my apprenticeship at the end of next month but I will give it a go and see if I can crack it [here in Sydney].” - Stuff.
co.nz
Kiwi star Rory Hutchings strives
to prove he’s worth his weight
A Sydney apprentices’ premiership beckons and he is also close to outriding his claim, but Rory Hutchings has a long-term goal that
is demanding much of his focus.
The in-form apprentice is poised to become
the first Kiwi-born jockey to win the Sydney
apprentices’ title and could join fellow
countrymen Chris Waller (trainer) and James
McDonald (jockey) in a New Zealand clean
sweep of the major awards.
And he needs only another few winners to
lose his 1.5kg claim.
Amazingly, 25 of his 29 wins since arriving in
Australia have been at metropolitan meetings.
“Another handful of winners and I’ve
outridden my claim,” said Hutchings, who has
seven rides at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Losing a claim can be a difficult period for a
jockey because their appeal drops in the eyes
of many trainers.
But Hutchings has a target to achieve which will improve his longevity in the saddle.
“The lowest weight I can ride at is 56kg and, because of my claim, it means I can only look for rides on horses carrying 57.5kg or
more,” he said.
“It means the spread of horses that I can ride in the average benchmark race is only 3.5kg,”
Waller, who was responsible for bringing the 21-year-old talent across the Tasman, sat Hutchings down for a conversation about the
young rider’s future.
“Chris spoke to me about my weight and said so many more opportunities would open up if I could just get down to 55kg,” he said.
“A lot of the set weights races see fillies carry 55kg and, at the moment, I couldn’t ride one of them.
“Getting my weight down is a big goal for me in the immediate future.”
There’s no doubt that, while he’s still got the claim, Hutchings will be popular — especially during the winter months when
trainers look for weight relief to avoid their horses getting bogged down on soft tracks.
Last weekend, Hutchings recorded his second stakes winner in Australia when he produced a patient but aggressive ride on
Amovatio to win the Hawkesbury Gold Cup, a race in which he couldn’t utilise his claim.
“He doesn’t panic and has a lot of strength,” Waller said after Hutchings manufactured a similar ride to get Harlem Lady home at
Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
“Rory has been a real asset to our stable and we’ve rewarded him with some good rides at Rosehill this weekend.”
Hutchings and Waller team up in five races on Saturday, highlighted by the return of classy galloper Start Wondering in the
Schweppes Handicap (1350m).
Like his trainer and jockey, Start Wondering hails from New Zealand and has won three of his four starts for Waller.
“I rode him to victory fist-up last preparation and he gave me the feel of a very nice horse,” Hutchings said.
“His recent trial was only a quiet one but he felt nice and strong and hasn’t had a long break.”
Start Wondering has drawn barrier nine in the 11-horse field but will start from gate eight with the scratching of Like Xena.
“I don’t think it (the barrier) will be an issue. When I rode him first-up last time he was three wide with cover and finished off
strongly,” Hutchings said.
“There looks to be a bit of pace in
the race, so we should be able to slot
in somewhere. But I’ll be making
sure he’s comfortable wherever he is
because his ability will carry him a long
way in this.”
Start Wondering.
Hutchings also rides first-up winner
Sir Bacchus for Waller in the McGrath
Estate Agents Handicap (1200m). He
takes over from Jason Collett, who
ventures north to the Gold Coast.
“This is the type of ride I want to
capitalise on,” he said.
“While the top jockeys are up in
Queensland or overseas, hopefully I’ll
get the chance to ride some nice horses and make the most of those opportunities.
“Sir Bacchus was really good first-up and will have only improved.
“He’s only had six starts but, importantly, his three wins have come at his past four starts, indicating he’s on the rise.”
In the feature race of the day, the $100,000 Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m), Hutchings rides Index Linked for Waller.
The eight-year-old catapulted himself back into form last start when finishing second behind promising stayer Guardini
from the Lee Freedman camp.
“I think this is his pet trip,” Hutchings said.
“He’s won four times at 2000m and from barrier six should find a good spot in the running.”
A big day at Rosehill on Saturday will leave Hutchings a short-priced favourite to claim the Sydney apprentices’ title.
“When I came over here two years ago after winning a scholarship back home, all I wanted to do was ride a winner,” he
said.
“It took me a while to get one, too, but luckily I’ve had great support from the Waller stable and just to be in this position
is really satisfying.”- News.com.au
Index Linked.
getting to know Renee Johns
Renee Johns is a Rosehill-based strapper and
she kindly took some time to do this week’s
staff interview “My hometown is Murray Bridge
in South Australia and I started in the racing
industry washing water buckets and feeding for
a trainer at home as a kid.” “I’ve worked in the
racing industry mainly doing things like foal
handling, pre training and breaking ever since.
My most rewarding achievement to date has been
hand rearing and breaking in my own foal from
start to finish”.
Best quote? Life’s what you make it.
Favourite part of the job? Handling Four
Carat everyday.
Favourite horse? El Doute.
Best horse ever seen? Four Carat (pictured with Renee).
Role Model? My Dad.
Favourite food? Anything Italian and chocolate.
Favourite jockey? Michelle Payne.
If you weren’t in racing, what would you have done? I’d still be working with animals in some form.
If you could invite two people for dinner, who would you invite? My two daughters.
Event in the world that you would most like to attend? The Melbourne Cup.
What would you do with your last $5? Buy chocolates.
Tip for the weekend? Save your money and put it all on Four Carat when he runs next!
THIS WEEKEND’S STABLE RUNNERS
Click here to go to the website for more information on our stable runners.
RECENTLY NAMED HORSES IN APRIL
Dahooil
Dark Whirlwind
Dream Master
Luiza
Magical Conquest
Our Beatnik
Rotoiti
Solo Heart
Tainos
Vanell
O’Reilly - Pretty filly
Exceed and Excel - Annesong colt
Dream Ahead - Excellent Lady colt
I Am Invincible - Zedski filly
Love Conquers All - Magical Anna colt
Elusive City - Fair Fly gelding
Mastercraftsman - Otarama colt
So You Think - Link to my Heart colt
Mastercraftsman - Hurricane Mist filly
Rip Van Winkle - Elusive Elle colt
Amovatio celebrations.
Hipparchus celebrations.
Thanks to Bradley Photographers and
darryl sherer for our weekly photos.
www.bradleyphotos.com.au
Vassal celebrations.
Thanks to Bradley Photographers and
darryl sherer for our weekly photos.
www.bradleyphotos.com.au
Renee and Sir Bacchus.
Sunny and Chandana.
Who’s brother am I... The I Am
Invincible - Sansadee colt.
El Novio having a shampoo!
Hipparchus and Charlotte.
Hayley and Ciarlet.
Bailey and Citrus.
Hypothecate arriving back at
Rosehill after his spell.
Sooty does a good job
of keeping the Warwick
Farm team on task.
The Warwick Farm team have had a frustrating
spate of placings but they’re still in the running
for the best landscaping award!
Canberra.
Omei Sword
enjoying her spell
with Cheryl Roberts
at Boynton Park.