Champion trainer Chris Waller is still giving his multiple Group 1 winner Boban a great chance of winning the Group 1 $2m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday even with the impost of 58kg.
Chris Waller is giving Boban a great chance in the Stradbroke Handicap, even with the impost of 58kg. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Boban was back in the Group 1 winner’s circle with a slashing first up victory in the $750,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 (1350m) at Doomben a fortnight ago and Waller can see the five year old reproducing that run again this week.
Waller can see Boban getting a sweet run for Glyn Schofield from barrier eight and if he gets the break during the race will be storming home again.
“Great barrier, barrier eight. We can use it, have the horse jump. Geez he is going to be getting a sweet run,” Waller said.
“The pace will be on for young and old. Yeah he has a big weight to carry, he has been there and done it before.”
“Boban, Doomben 10,000 winner, goes up in the weights to the Handicap of the Stradbroke.”
“Gee it was good to see him win the other day. He didn’t just win, he chimed in and wanted to be there. He won with authority, albeit a small margin.”
Boban was too strong, holding out Charlie Boy and Generalife in a tight finish of the weight for age Doomben 10,000 but back to Handicap conditions of the Stradbroke, the four times Group 1 winner meets every other runner from the Doomben 10,000 worse at the weights.
Boban has proven in the past that he is a very high quality racehorse but before winning the Doomben 10,000 was out of the winner’s list since taking out the Group 1 $500,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
His other two Group 1 successes were during the 2013 Spring Carnival with wins in the $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick followed by a win in the $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Waller will also saddle up three year old Delectation in the Stradbroke Handicap and is not dismissing his chances either.
Delectation has drawn just worse than midfield and will jump from gate ten, but Waller has plenty of confidence in Glen Boss to be able to secure a nice run in the big field.
“His draw is probably not the best,” Waller said.
“G Boss, who else do you want on in a Group 1 race. We will leave it up Glen, he is a very difficult horse to ride, he gets his head up and over races.”
“One thing about this race is that there will be plenty of pace on. Glen has got great hands and if he settles and runs up to his best form, he could be a lightweight chance.”
Waller also accepted with Flamingo Star in the Stradbroke Handicap but the German import is unlucky to gain a start after being made third emergency.
Stradbroke Handicap market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Lumosty, $7.50 Charlie Boy, $9 Black Heart Bart, $10 Delectation, Knoydart, Generalife, Srikandi, $11 Sacred Star, $13 Boban, $19 Hot Snitzel, $21 Big Money, $31 El Roca, Rock Sturdy, Temple Of Boom, $41 Fast ‘N’ Rocking, Smokin’ Joey, Flamingo Star, $81 Fontelina, $101 Riva De Lago, Tried And Tired.
