Premier trainer Chris Waller is weighing up his options for the rest of the Autumn Carnival with stable stalwart Rangirangdoo.
Waller could have five runners in the Group 1 $2m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday if he decides to run 2010 Doncaster winner with 58 kilos.
Rangirangdoo is the top weight for the Doncaster Mile - photo (c) Steve Hart
The top Rosehill trainer looks certain to saddle up Shoot Out, Metal Bender, Albert The Fat and Danleigh in the Doncaster, but still has to make a decision whether Rangirangdoo goes around this Saturday or waits for the Group 1 WFA $500,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick next week.
With the seven year old being allocated 58 kilos, Waller is concerned that some of the lighter weighted horses will have too great an advantage over him, but is not that worried about Gai Waterhouse’s super mare More Joyous, who has been given 57.5 kilos by the handicapper.
“More Joyous’ weight is not what bothers me,” he said.
“She has 57.5kg which is like carrying 59.5kg with her mare’s allowance.
“It is the horses down the bottom of the weights that are concerning me and if I can get my head around it before tomorrow then I will run.”
Whichever way Waller decides to go, he will have to find a new rider for Rangirangdoo with regular jockey Corey Brown being suspended for careless riding and will miss the remainder of the Carnival.
But Waller is glad to have picked up the services of Kerrin McEvoy for multiple Group 1 winner Danleigh.
The eight year old showed that he is nearly back to his best when second for Jim Cassidy to stable mate Shoot Out in the Group 1 $350,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 10.
Danleigh hasn’t won since taking out last year’s Chipping Norton but Waller is hoping a renewed association with McEvoy might help him return to the winner’s list after the pair combined to take out the 2009 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.
“Kerrin is a patient rider and he suits the style of our horses,” Waller said.
“We don’t get to use him as much as we would like so it is good to have him on board for Danleigh.”
Waller’s other top Doncaster chance Shoot Out has shown his liking for Randwick with wins in the 2010 Randwick Guineas over 1600m and the 2400m AJC Derby.
The five year old returned to winning form two starts back beating Danleigh in the Chipping Norton then ran third to Manighar in the Group 1 $400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 24.
And Waller has Metal Bender back to his best, taking out the Group 1 $400,000 Daily Telegraph George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 7 at only his second run back from a long spell because of injury.
Emirates Stakes winner Albert The Fat is struggling to find form, but did make up some ground in the straight when beaten just under three lengths when ninth to stable mate Metal Bender in the George Ryder.
