Waller weekly news - Chris Waller Racing

Waller weekly news
26 SEPTEMBER, 2014
Chris and Zac Purton with Sacred Fall’s
George Main trophy.
What a problem to have… Which group 1 winner to choose to put as the lead photo in the newsletter! Instead of choosing between
Sacred Falls and Foreteller, which would be akin to choosing a favourite child, a photo of the mastermind behind the stable’s continued
success seemed fitting. Quick to deflect any praise for the stable’s domination of recent years onto his team, there is however one man
at the helm who’s taken the risks, built the business, put his name on the line and is there from 3.30am to after 5pm each day. There
are no mid-day nana naps in the Waller office and we’re firing on all cylinders as we head into another spring carnival.
In addition to our Group 1 winners this week we celebrated Junoob’s return to form reminding us just how much more effective he is
on good ground while on Wednesday at Canterbury two talented geldings in Super Willie and Pythagorean broke maiden ranks.
Foreteller, Junoob and Pythagorean are all timely reminders of the success we continue to have with these imported gallopers as we
look to secure our next influx of these in the next month. Not surprisingly, demand to be involved with these horses exceeds supply
each year and while we try to accommodate as many as we can, please lock in your interest asap by emailing [email protected]
Good luck and safe racing to all tomorrow from the team at Chris Waller Racing!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
•
WINNERS,
•
STAR HORSE OF THE WEEK, JOAO MORIERA CALLED IN FOR EPSOM
ASSIGNMENT, PRESTIGE HIRE CARS COMPETITION, GETTING TO KNOW
MEGAN SMILLIE, PHOTOS AND LOTS MORE.
CHRIS WALLER RACING – WINNERS THIS WEEK
FORETELLER
8YO G Dansili – Prophecy (Warning)
Caulfield, Group 1 Underwood Stakes, HH.
Foreteller’s wonderful Group 1 Underwood Stakes win is his
third at racing’s highest level while he’s is a great example of
why Chris doesn’t rush his horses. His training methods aim
for longevity and that is certainly the case with Foreteller - he
may be eight but he isn’t the easiest ride in the stable and is still
as cheeky as ever. He sat closer in the run on Saturday and had
to dig deep, flying home to claim the glory in the dying strides.
It was a super ride by Glen Boss, who has been in tremendous
form for us recently. This is the fourth year that Foreteller will
be ready to show his ability at the spring carnival in Melbourne
while we work out where we sit in terms of his chances against
the Cox Plate or MacKinnon horses.
SACRED FALLS
5YO H O’Reilly– Iguazu’s Girl (Redoute’s Choice)
Randwick, Group 1 George Main, 1600m, 1.3 lengths.
Sacred Falls certainly was the one to beat in the George Main
Stakes Group 1 as was suggested in last week’s newsletter. He
simply blew away the field putting the incredibly tough mare
Royal Descent yet again into second. This was a fantastic result
as it really silenced all of his doubters who thought he was just
a very good wet tracker. He showed his power and his will to
win when barging his way to the front and sprinting clear on
good ground under a great ride from Zac Purton. He is now an
even more exciting stallion prospect for Waikato Stud than he
already was. His next target will most likely be the Caulfield
Stakes in three weeks and then obviously onto the Cox Plate
which we can get even more excited about now he has proved
what an all-rounder he is.
JUNOOB
7YO G Haafhd – Faydah (Bahri)
Randwick, Group 2 Hill Stakes, 2000m, 1.8 lengths.
Junoob won the Hill Stakes Group 2 in taking fashion. A
dawdling pace saw Blake Shinn opt to go forward and from
there they dictated the pace to the rest of the field. He
managed to put them to the sword early as he sprinted the last
600 metres in 33.6 seconds which obviously made it incredibly
difficult for anyone behind him to make any ground up. The
reason for his return to form was a simple one, track
conditions, he has had to run on wet tracks to get the runs into
him but on Saturday he finally got the ground he relishes.
Saturday proved that he still has plenty of speed in his legs and
that he is back to his best. He has an excited spring ahead.
Thanks to Bradley Photographers www.bradleyphotos.com.au
Darryl Sherer & Bruno Canatelli for our race day photographs.
3
SUPER WILLIE
3YO G Flying Spur – Anjiz Star (Anjiz)
Canterbury, BM70, 1250m, LN.
Super Willie began smartly and went straight to the lead. He
travelled along nicely in front and was under pressure from
the 200m but fought back to win by a neck, breaking maiden
ranks against some tough opposition. Selected as a yearling by
a very good judge of a horse in Anton Koolman, he is a credit
to the successful emerging system at the impressive
Hermitage property. Expertly prepared at the farm, the
horses come to the stables in great order, making our job just
that bit easier. He is likely to next start at Randwick over
1400m on the 11th of October in a 3yo race.
PYTHAGOREAN
5YO G X – Oasis Dream - Hypotenuse (Sadler’s Wells)
Canterbury, No Metro Win, 1550m, NS.
Breaking through for his first Australian win, Pythagorean is
starting to produce what we all know he’s capable of after a
lot of hard work has been invested into his way of going by
teaching him to settle and travel tractably. Blake Shinn rode
him perfectly and he showed a good turn of foot at the top of
the straight. In the same race, fellow 2013 import from the
Tattersall’s HIT sale, Campanology resumed to run on very
well with a whopping 62kgs on his back. Both horses will
next step out over 1600m at Randwick on the 11th of
October.
STAR THOROUGHBREDS
HORSE OF THE WEEK
rothesay – repercussions FILLY
A STRONG INDIVIDUAL FROM A FAMILY ON THE MOVE
While the early reports and positive trial results of the progeny of high
class galloper Rothesay flow in, this filly continues to gear herself
towards an exciting and fruitful racing career under Chris’s watchful
eye. Further adding to her credentials, she is from a very high achieving
former Woodlands Stud family and will carry good residual value as a
broodmare after her racing career.
Her fluent action and precocity is what caught Chris and the selection
team’s eye at the sales with vet Tim Roberts commenting “This filly is a well conformed, athletic individual who is a very nice
mover.”
$10,750 for a 5% share incl GST. Visit www.starthoroughbreds.com.au for more info.
CHRIS WALLER RACING
JOAO CALLED IN FOR
EPSOM ASSIGNMENT
There’s no denying the depth of talent in the Sydney rider’s ranks however the
stable has looked further afield to secure the services of one of the world’s finest
riders in Joao Moreira. The Brazilian-born, Hong Kong-based star jockey will ride
for the stable next week at Randwick.
With He’s Your Man a very good chance down in the weights in the Group 1
$500,000 Epsom Handicap and requiring a top-class rider who was available to
ride at 52kgs the decision was made to bring Joao down to ride. While having
someone of his calibre on hand, he is likely to ride others for the stable on the day
including the likes of Our Voodoo Prince in the Metropolitan, Brazen Beau in the
Roman Consul and Vilanova in the Craven Plate. Star Thoroughbreds runners
Whittington and Austrian may also have the Joao’s services in the saddle.
Sam kekovich @ FUNDRAISING LUNCH
We have very limited (as in 24 seats) room available at special luncheon at Rydges Hotel on October 24 raising funds for
4tracks4kids. Guest speaker at the event will be Australia's most sought after speaker Sam Kekovich. Sam is a sports commentator
and former AFL player and he will be joined on the day by a racing panel that will look ahead to the next days racing being Cox
Plate day. The cost is $135 a head. Please rsvp to [email protected] with credit card details if you wish to attend.
RADAR’S LATEST ARTWORK IMPRESSES
Talented CWR employee Adam Rumsby (Radar) completed the pictured
brilliant pencil sketch of Red Tracer recently. Working off one of equally
talented equine photographer Lisa Grimm’s photos, Adam has kindly donated
the artwork, signed by himself and Chris, to be auctioned off with the
proceeds to be donated to 4tracks4kids.
5
A walk for nathan UPDATE
IN CATKINS WE TRUST…
In our final week of raising funds through betting, we’re pooling our $10 each and putting it all on Catkins. Collectively, team
Waller has raised $6,290 to date – thanks to everyone who has donated to this very worthy cause!
https://www.4tracks4kids.com.au/fundraising-donate.php?id=10083 PRESTIGE HIRE CARS WEEKLY $100 VOUCHER DRAW
Last week we asked for the number of Group 1 George Main
Stakes he stable had won with at the time, one being the correct
answer thanks to Shoot Out in 2012. Of the entries, Star
Thoroughbred’s owner George Ardill was drawn out of the hat
to receive the $100 voucher and jacket and cap.
To enter the draw for a $100 Prestige Hire Car, a CWR jacket
and hat this week, email Haylie ([email protected]) the
name of the stable’s most prolific Group 1 winner to date by
COB Wednesday.
www.presitgehirecars.com.au
CHRIS WALLER RACING
GETTING TO KNOW megan smillie
Another Kiwi on the team is Palmerston North-born Megan Smillie. Megan who rode just over 100 winners before venturing to
various countries including Macau, Japan, Dubai and America where she worked for top trainers before settling in Australia.
During her time in America, Megan rode many Breeders Cup and Kentucky Derby hopes including War Pass, Lion Heart
(pictured) and Da Tara who beat Big Brown in the third leg of the Triple Crown. A track work accident put an end to Megan’s
riding out for the stable however she’s now invaluable help to Chris and Peter in the mornings, helping clock our horses out in the
tower before coming and helping out in the stables. Megan counts herself as very fortunate to work for the top stable in Australia.
Nickname? Meg
Best quote?
Positive energy creates positive energy.
Favourite part of the job? Clocking and
watching the horses work.
Favourite horse? Rye because he is a
trickster.
Best horse ever seen? Zenyatta – a people’s
horse in America. She won 19 races in a row
before running second in the Kentucky Derby.
Role model? As lame as this sounds - Chris
Waller because of his approach to racing.
Favourite food? Thai
Favourite jockey? Frankie Dettori because of
talent and his flying dismounts.
If you weren’t in racing, what would you
have done? I would have been a Vegas
Showgirl.
If you could invite two people for dinner, who would you
invite? A resurrected Robin Williams and Hugh Jackman. Robin for his
humour and Hugh just to look at.
Event in the world that you would most like to attend? The Maadi
Gras in Brazil.
What would you do with your last $5? Give it to the homeless man
on the corner.
Tip for the weekend? Catkins
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7
THE BEST I’VE BRED
We really enjoyed this story on Catkins’ breeder George Carter published by
Tara Madgwick on www.breednet.com.au
She's one of the most popular mares in Sydney and for her self-proclaimed
'hobby breeder' is an ongoing source of great pride and satisfaction.
Dashing grey mare Catkins makes for a vision splendid carrying the bright
cerise silks of the Ingham family. The five year-old daughter of Dubawi (IRE)
has won 12 races and placed seven times from 24 starts earning $1.1 million
in prizemoney with the Group III ATC Golden Pendant this Saturday looming
as her next target on a path headed towards the Group I VRC Myer Classic in
November. Beaten a short half head by her stablemate Red Tracer in the
Group I feature last year, Catkins looks to have come back better than ever
and her fans will be hoping this racing season delivers the Group I victory she
most surely deserves.
"She's the best I've ever bred by far and away," said her Aberdeen based
breeder George Carter, who with wife Lea has a small band of five mares on
their farm which is 3km from Darley and borders Segenhoe Thoroughbreds.
"I'm just a hobby breeder, but it's my passion and to have bred a horse as good
as her is a dream come true."
Catkins is the second foal of modest Catbird mare Salix Caprea, who had two
starts for little result and was retired to stud.
"We bred Salix Caprea and her half-brother Rally, who was a pretty handy stakes-winner in Adelaide, but not in the same class as
Catkins," explained Carter.
"Salix Caprea isn't the best type to be honest, but she has good foals and right from the start Catkins looked to be a good sort.
"She wasn't overly big, but was strong and had a perfect temperament.
"Craig Anderson at Amarina Farm prepared her for Magic Millions and we thought she could make $45,000 to $50,000, but then
when we got to the sale he said there had been a lot of interest and she might make $60,000."
Catkins exceeded those predictions when selling
for $85,000 to Ingham Racing.
"People say to me, 'You must be dirty that you
sold her', but I'm not at all," revealed Carter.
"We got a great price for her and to have the
Inghams buy her and then Chris Waller train her
is a real honour.
"It gave her the very best opportunity to succeed
and that's half the trouble when you are a smaller
breeder, trying to get your horses into the care of
good trainers that will get the best out of them.
"If we had kept her, she would have gone to a
country or provincial trainer and may not be the
Catkins we see now.
"When you only have a few mares, they become
part of the family and their foals are like your
kids. You just want to see them go out and do
well."
2
CHRIS WALLER RACING
Salix Caprea foaled again a few weeks ago and has this terrific colt by Dubawi's
high class Group I winning son Poet's Voice (pictured right).
"With Darley being so close it's a great opportunity to go and look at all of their
stallions and gives a smaller breeder like myself the chance to use some of the
best bloodlines in the world," Carter said.
"I've got another half-sister to Salix Caprea, Mandarin's Daughter, that is also
due to foal to Poet's Voice next week."
Salix Caprea has already been covered again by Golden Slipper winner Sepoy.
"She was booked in to Street Cry, but you know what happened there, so
Darley asked for my next preferences and we eventually settled on Sepoy,"
Carter said.
"There is good talk about his yearlings and a lot of smart breeders are going to
him this year, so while it wasn't our first choice it's one that I'm happy with."
A hobby breeder for over 30 years, George Carter tells an interesting story of
how he is the one that sparked Nathan Tinkler's passion for racing and breeding, which ultimately led to the roller coaster ride that
became Patinack Farm.
"We worked together down in the mines and would spend all of our time talking horses," Carter recalled.
"Nathan had a real passion for the horses. He always dreamed big and he's gone out and done it, although it's unfortunate that it's
ended as it has with the dispersal sale next week.
"I sold Nathan and his Dad their first horse, a pretty average mare called Subtle Miss that managed to win a couple of races for them
around Scone and Muswellbrook.
"She's ended up being a really good broodmare for them and has left a Group II winner in Subtle Cove and the stakes-winner
Soiled."
Interestingly, 19 year-old old Subtle Miss is not catalogued for the Patinack Farm Dispersal and neither are any of her offspring.
"It's a great shame that most people only ever talk of the negative in regard to Nathan and Patinack Farm," Carter reflected.
"He did a lot of good for this industry, particularly back in the EI days when he invested so heavily and virtually propped up both the
Australian and New Zealand industries there for a while.
"He's the sort of bloke that comes in with an 'everything or nothing' attitude and it's disappointing it's now come to nothing."
GROUP 1 MISSION FOR POWERHOUSE ENTIRE BULL POINT
Bull Point lines up for the stable in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on
Sunday in a quest to secure a valuable victory at racing’s highest level.
Should this happen, the already valuable stallion prospect’s potential at stud
for Coolmore and connections will sky-rocket. By Champion Sire Fastnet
Rock, he’s already a stakes winner and is Group 1 placed after flashing
home in the Golden Rose last year.
Reflecting what a cracking, masculine individual he is, Bull Point was hand
picked by renown good judges in Demi O’Byrne and James Bester as a
yearling with the duo bidding to $960,000 to secure him.
The Sir Rupert Clarke has been won by successful sires in the past including
the likes of Coolmore’s Encosta de Lago plus Testa Rossa twice and Exceed
and Excel while a victory in the race would be the first for a Chris Waller-trained horse. Having been working well with Jim
Cassidy getting to know him in his gallops at home, we hope he can overcome his less than ideal barrier 10 for a fairytale result for
his connections and the stable on Sunday at Caulfield in the 1400m feature.
9
Winners! Super Willie and Andrew.
Pythagorean and Masa.
CHRIS WALLER RACING
Nice colt – Feast for Eyes.
Opinion ahead of Austrian in the pool.
Marenostro and Vicki.
The big marn –
Richie’s Bickies..
11
Al Baidaa listens intently as Andrew muses over the finer
points of a good Indian.
Just A Girl checks out Masa’a hat.
Star Thoroughbred’s Law and Armit.
Nice weather for ducks.. Del and Royal Descent.
Take a bow! Sacred Falls and Sarah.
CHRIS WALLER RACING
Candice and Pentometer strike a pose.
It wasn’t me!
Lonnero busted
playing with his
cotton sheet!
Catkins and Dee.
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE STABLES CHECK OUT OUR CHRIS WALLER RACING FACEBOOK PAGE