Chris Waller has three of the leading chances in the 2014 Coolmore Classic and the leading Sydney trainer is happy with all three mares heading into the Group 1 event at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
Royal Descent is one of three Chris Waller-trained mares that will contest the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Catkins is currently a clear favourite in 2014 Coolmore Classic betting markets, after starting her campaign with impressive wins in the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15 and the Group 3 Wiggle Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on March 8, but Waller admits that she faces a tough task with 58 kilograms on her back this Saturday.
“She is a great mare and she has done a terrific job each and every preparation,” Waller said.
“This preparation she has two wins from two starts.
“She does have the top weight in the Coolmore and it doesn’t make the job easy, especially from the barrier draw, but she does have class on her side.”
Royal Descent has not recorded a race win since she took out the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) in dominant fashion during the 2013 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, but has received support in betting and is now into Coolmore Classic odds of $10.
The Redoute’s Choice mare resumed with a fourth place finish behind stablemate Red Tracer in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 1 and Waller is expecting an improved performance in the Coolmore Classic this weekend.
“She has been set for the race,” Waller said.
“We are trying to keep her to shorter distances this preparation with the view of having her ready to fire in the spring over longer distances again.
“I just think that she was little bit soft as an early four-year-old and even still now, she needs to be looked after.
“We know that she has class and she has an awkward gate, but she is the type of horse that can overcome it.”
Rounding out Waller’s chances in the 2014 Coolmore Classic field is popular mare Arinosa who has failed to fire in two starts this preparation; finishing tenth in the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) and ninth in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne.
Arinosa has produced her best form in Sydney and Waller believes that the Dash For Cash mare is capable of running a big race at the lucrative Coolmore Classic odds of $26.
“Last start I thought it was uncharacteristic, but I put it down to firm tracks in Melbourne,” Waller said.
“Since being back home she has thrived and she has had a trial for her confidence levels and to give us confidence that she is heading in the right direction.
“She has drawn well and could certainly run in the money at big odds.”
Waller is chasing his first win in the Coolmore Classic after finishing second in last year’s race with Red Tracer.
