Leading trainer Chris Waller will have two runners in the 2013 Emirates Stakes and both Boban and Sacred Falls have found plenty of support in betting markets for the Group 1 event at Flemington on Saturday.
Leading trainer Chris Waller will be represented in the 2013 Emirates Stakes field by Group 1 winners Sacred Falls and Boban. Photo by: Steve Hart
Boban is now a clear favourite in 2013 Emirates Stakes betting and there has also been plenty of support for Sacred Falls who is now available at odds of $6.
Sacred Falls is yet to record a win this preparation but returned to his best form with a very unlucky third behind Toydini and Speediness in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.
Waller told Racing Ahead that Sacred Falls really enjoyed the Moonee Valley track and is hopeful that the son of O’Reilly can record his first race win since his triumph in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) when he jumps from barrier six in the 2013 Emirates Stakes tomorrow.
“Sacred Falls is back in good form,” Waller said on RSN.
“Sacred Falls really appreciated the Moonee Valley track and hopefully he will run consistently tomorrow and run well again.
“Midfield will be good because you don’t like to throw away good barrier draws.
“All you do in that instance is make it easier for the ones that are drawn out wider so when you do draw a good marble you need to make sure that you use it.
“Hopefully we can do that tomorrow.”
Boban has been one of the stories of the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival after recording four straight wins; showing remarkable acceleration to win the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) from the tail of the field.
The son of Bernadini has made rapid progress during his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign but Waller believes that the four-year-old will need to continue to improve to be able to carry 57kg to victory as Emirates Stakes betting favourite this weekend.
“It was a very good win and he has come through it really well,” Waller said.
“We haven’t had to do a lot with him, he is at the end of his prep obviously, and we just need to keep him up to the mark and make sure that he is a happy horse.
“We are looking forward to tomorrow’s race but I will say that he has gone from a rating 80 horse, right through to winning a Group 1 on the limit weight and now contesting another big Group 1 mile, one kilo away from the top-weight.
“It is a big rise all in one preparation and hopefully tomorrow isn’t a step too far.”
Boban has come from the back of the field in devastating fashion at his past two starts and Waller is hopeful that he will settle bit closer to the speed on Saturday but will be leaving the riding instructions up to jockey Glyn Schofield who has ridden the Group 1 winner in all four of his starts this campaign.
“We will use the barrier but he is a horse that likes to be left alone early, I think that has been the key to him,” Waller said.
“I will leave it up to Glyn and he has a great association with the horse.”
Waller is chasing his second victory in the Emirates Stakes after winning the 2011 edition of the race with veteran gelding Albert The Fat.
