Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller is looking for a better showing from his Spring star Boban when he fronts up in the Group 2 $250,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Chris Waller is looking for a better showing from Boban in the Apollo Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Boban suffered his first defeat in six starts when a first up fifth to Appearance in the Group 2 $200,000 SCSI Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 8 but Waller wasn’t all that disappointed with the run.
“Boban’s first-up run was OK,’’ Waller told The Daily Telegraph.
“But it just shows you can’t underestimate the good horses if you are not 100 per cent fit.
“He was 95 per cent fit but certainly not screwed down for that race.
“It wasn’t his grand final, he has a big autumn ahead, so when you are taking on these quality horses it is hard.
“He will be a bit fitter for the Apollo Stakes.’’
Boban will again have to take on the Guy Walter trained Appearance who was dominant in the Expressway but a clash with stablemate and third placegetter Sizzling might be avoided with the former Queensland trained four year old likely to start in the Group 1 $500,000 Cathay Pacific Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Boban became the emerging star for the all-conquering Waller stable as he rolled through the Spring undefeated with five wins from five starts including the two at Group 1 level.
The Bernardini four year old came from last on the home turn to win the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 5 then later in the Spring produced another stunning finish to win the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Waller is hoping that Boban will regain his Spring form and be one of the stars of the ‘The Championships’ after nominating him in the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12 and the Group 1 $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 19.
