Waller can’t fault his 3 Geroge Main Stakes runners

Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller can’t fault his three runners in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Kermadec is one of three runners trainer Chris Waller will saddle up in the George Main Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Kermadec is one of three runners trainer Chris Waller will saddle up in the George Main Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Waller will saddle up the first and second favourites Kermadec ($2.90) and Royal Descent ($4.40) as well as the $81 outsider of the field Moriarty.

Kermadec will strip fitter at his third run back after finishing fifth as favourite first up to Royal Descent in the Group 2 $250,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22.

The Doncaster Mile winner then ran an improved race and battled on well after being caught wide for second to Complacent in the Group 2 $250,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on a fortnight ago.

“Kermadec, he went terrific (in the Chelmsford), he was caught three wide with no cover, and he has drawn well on Saturday, Glyn Schofield rides,” Waller said.

Glyn Schofield takes over from the suspended Glen Boss and should be able to give a Kermadec the perfect run from barrier five in the ten horse field.

Royal Descent scored a brilliant first up win in the Warwick Stakes and Waller is blaming the second up syndrome for her last start third in the Chelmsford Stakes.

“Royal Descent, she was a bit flat last start but I reckon it was just second up. 1600m third up for her is no problem. Rain or no rain, she will just be as hard to beat,” Waller said.

Hugh Bowman has been aboard Royal Descent at her two runs this campaign and gets the ride again on the weekend and the prospect of a wet track could be to her advantage.

Waller admits that Group 1 winner Moriarty was disappointing last start when always near the tail of the field when fourteenth to Complacent in the Chelmsford but put it down to the rain affected track and is willing to give him another chance.

“Moriarty, he was disappointing the other day, but I am pretty sure it was just the wet track,” Waller said.

Veteran jockey Jim Cassidy has been given the job to try and rejuvenate Moriarty and the eight year old will jump from the inside gate.

George Main Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.90 Kermadec, $4.40 Royal Descent, $6.50 Lucia Valentina, $7 Pornichet, $13 Hooked, Sweynesse, $15 Kirramosa, $21 Hauraki, $31 Protectionist, $81 Moriarty.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.