Chris Waller has Winx, Amicus and Ballet Suite in the 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes field and the leading Sydney trainer is happy with all three fillies heading into the Group 1 event.
Winx is one of three Chris Waller-trained horses in the 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Winx made a slow start to her 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28, but she returned to winning form in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.
Waller was thrilled with the effort of Winx in the Vinery Stud Stakes and he believes that the Street Cry filly may be the most likely of his three runners to run out a strong 2000 metres.
“She beat the boys last start and she came from behind them off a slow tempo,” Waller said.
“She is drawn well, she doesn’t mind a bit of give in the track and we had thirty mills of rain on Tuesday night on Tuesday.
“Of my three she is the more rangy type of horse and is more a Royal Descent type of filly.
“I am looking forward to getting her out to 2000 and further.”
Amicus is also taking strong form into the Vinery Stud Stakes after she finished a very close fourth behind Plucky Belle in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14, but Waller admits that the Thousand Guineas winner is an unknown quantity over 2000 metres.
“I think that she has had the perfect preparation,” Waller said.
“She is not bred to stay, but she has won at Group 1 level over a mile and she is in good form.
“She looks impeccable and she is a fit horse.”
Ballet Suite has recorded two wins from as many starts since he joined the Waller stable at the end of last year, but she will be facing the toughest test of her racing career to date after progressive from a benchmark 70 event at Royal Randwick on March 11.
Waller believes that Ballet Suite will need to go to another level in the Vinery Stud Stakes, but he is confident that he progressive filly can produce a strong effort as she builds towards the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m).
“Ballet Suite is coming off the midweek races which are a lot easier, but there is a sense of timing about her,” Waller said.
“She is impeccably bred and she is by High Chaparral.
“She has drawn a bit awkwardly, but that is Kerrin’s problem.”
Winx has been the best backed of the Waller trio and is into 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes odds of $6.50, while Amicus ($13) and Ballet Suite ($21) are both available at double figure odds.
