Chris Waller believes stakes-winning mare Telepathic can atone for her recent performances when she lines up for the Listed AM Giles & Co Chartered Accountants Open (1830m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Chris Waller is confident Telepathic will relish the Eagle Farm conditions on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart
Telepathic was sent for a brief freshen-up after finishing a credible fourth in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on January 8th, and appeared on track for a typically strong preparation when returning for second in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) on February 20th.
Despite the performance, the daughter of Mossman has since been unable to produce much in placing seventh in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m), tenth in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) and ninth in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m).
Having missed the start in each of her recent races, Waller told Racing Ahead he is hopeful the mare will have rectified the problem when she lines up at Eagle Farm this weekend and believes the step up to 1830m could play a crucial role in a return to form.
“Joao Moreira said she’s just throwing it away,” Waller said.
“She does it most runs and she could have taken her position in the Tatt’s Tiara but I think the 1800m will suit her better, and she’s a definite winning chance based on that.
“There’s not much you can do, you can’t just take them to the barriers and teach them to jump. I just try and persevere and get a man in the stalls with them to make sure they’re concentrating.
“You just have to keep trying things and eventually get something to work, but it’s a hard habit to break.
“Partly the reason we’ve stepped her up in trip to 1800m is because jumping isn’t quite as important.
“You can be half a length slower and still hold your position, but in the good Group 1200m or 1400m races you miss it by half a length, it becomes two lengths very quickly.”
Kerrin McEvoy will take the ride on Telepathic this weekend, who will leave from the ideal barrier 5 with only 54.5kgs in tow.
Despite drawing into an AM Giles & Co Chartered Accountants Open field also including the likes of Pajaro, Lordag and Adirondack, Telepathic remains perched as outright $2.60 favourite to win the race with Ladbrokes Australia.
