Waller Duo Likely To Be Scratched From Widden Stakes

Trainer Chris Waller has revealed that both Always Allison and Micucci are likely to be scratched from the 2015 Widden Stakes that will be held at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Chris Waller is set to scratched both Always Allison and Micucci from the 2015 Widden Stakes. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Chris Waller is set to scratched both Always Allison and Micucci from the 2015 Widden Stakes. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Micucci made her racing debut with a fast-finishing fourth behind Golden Slipper favourite Ottoman in the Place Multi Plate (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 20 and she was far from disgraced when fifth in a similar race at the same venue on January 3, but Waller told Racing Ahead that he is unsure whether the Flying Spur filly is good enough to be competitive against the likes of Giulietta in the Widden Stakes and is leaning towards running the two-year-old at Kembla Grange tomorrow instead.

“They have been pass marks that is for sure,” Waller said.

“I would have liked a slightly easier Widden Stakes; it is a bit ambitious taking on some of those ones up the order who have won races or run second and I think the top six are all very good horses.

“We might try and find her an easier assignment.

“She is also in at Kembla on Saturday and if she doesn’t run at Rosehill she is a chance of running there.

“I think that she might just struggle against those better ones.”

Always Allison is yet to make her racing debut, but she has impressed in two barrier trial appearances ahead of her racing debut.

The More Than Ready filly made his first public appearance in a barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens on January 6 and she showed good race sense to score a narrow win over Pierrette, while she took up the running and recorded another trial win in a barrier trial at the same venue on January 20.

Waller believes that Always Allison has plenty of ability, but he admitted that he was not happy when the two-year-old was allocated barrier ten and is planning to remove her from the 2015 Widden Stakes field.

“Always Allison is very similar,” Waller said.

“She trialed very well and looks a promising type, but taking them on first-up is going to be hard, especially from that gate.

“I would say that Always Allison will be scratched and there is a good chance Micucci will be as well.”

Always Allison has been one of the best backed runners in the 2015 Widden Stakes betting market with Ladbrokes, despite Waller’s lack of confidence, while Micucci is available at the lengthy quote of $21.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.