Chris Waller will saddle two runners in the 2016 Spear Chief Quality (1500m), but is confident the conditions will benefit Amovatio the most in the Listed race at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Amovatio is one of two runners for Chris Waller in Saturday’s Spear Chief Quality at Eagle Farm. Photo: Steve Hart
Amovatio has been a strong and consistent performer for Waller through his entire racing career so far; posting nine wins a further fourteen minors through a total of thirty-eight competitive starts since debuting in 2013.
Having run on well in the Listed Wayne Wilson Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago, Waller told Racing Ahead he was initially looking at stepping the Al Maher gelding up in trip following the run, but is instead following the advice of leading hoop Hugh Bowman.
“It’s been a little bit hard to weigh up form in Brisbane because the Doomben track was running very quick and suiting certain styles of horses, and certainly not a horse like him,” Waller said.
“He bounced back at Eagle Farm last start, and I thought we’d step him up in trip but Hugh Bowman was adamant that coming back was going to be better than going up.
“He rides him tomorrow and I think it’s a good idea to follow a jockey when he suggests something like that.”
Amovatio is one of only eight runners confirmed in the Spear Chief Quality field and Waller is confident the horse can overcome the likes of race favourite Hopfgarten and return to winning form in the race.
“The small field will suit because he’s a backmarker and Hopfgarten’s got a bit of weight after his last start win, so I think it’s his sort of race,” he said.
Returning to racing this year for sixth in the Listed National Sprint (1400m) on March 6th, Amovatio progressed to third in the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap (1350m) before failing to completely make up the distance late when fifth in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m).
Savaging the line for success in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on April 30th, the gelding out of Grand Ovation placed second to Pajaro in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) on May 13th and a luckless eighth in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) in his only other start prior to the Wayne Wilson Mile.
Amovatio will leave from barrier 5 in the 2016 Spear Chief Quality while Waller’s other runner, Tales Of Grimm, will jump from barrier 3 with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
Ladbrokes Australia are currently offering Amovatio at 2016 Spear Chief Quality odds of $3.60, while Tales Of Grimm can be taken at a quote of $6.
