Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller is not dismissing the chances of Kermadec in the Group 2 $200,000 Blackwoods CRC Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday even though the three year old has drawn an awkward barrier.
Kermadec has drawn a wide barrier in the Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Kermadec came up with barrier nine in the thirteen horse Hobartville Stakes field but Waller said with a bit of luck good horses can overcome bad gates.
“Barrier nine on Saturday doesn’t make it easy,” Waller said.
“Had he drawn a gate I think the he would have threatened some of these better horses. Whose to say he won’t from a bad gate. Good horse.”
Brenton Avdulla takes over from Blake Shinn on Kermadec who pleased Waller with his first up fourth behind Scissor Kick and stablemates Delectation and Harrier Jet in the Group 3 $150,000 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on February 7.
“Very good run first up.,” Waller said.
Waller is expecting another good run from the Teofilo colt on the weekend and then will decide if he stays in Sydney for the Group 1 $600,000 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick or heads back to Melbourne for the Group 1 $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
The Royal Randwick Guineas and the Australian Guineas are both run on March 7.
“He’s been firmly set for a Guineas whether it be Randwick or the Australian Guineas,” Waller said.
“The Australian Guineas would be the preference, he has won in Melbourne before over the mile. Saturday will tune him up nicely.”
Waller took Kermadec to Melbourne during the Spring Carnival last year and he collected the trophy for winning the Group 3 $200,000 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 1.
Waller has a strong hand in the Hobarville Stakes and will also saddle up Delectation and Preferment.
Delectaion has drawn barrier six and will be ridden by Glyn Schofield, taking over from Hugh Bowman who rode the Shamardal colt when an unlucky first up second to Scissor Kick in the Eskimo Prince Stakes.
Preferment has drawn barrier seven and will be ridden by Jason Collett at his first run back after winning the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win heads a congested market order for the Hobartville Stakes and is the $4.60 favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au.
There are seven runners at $10 or less with Scissor Kick at $5.50, Hallowed Crown and Panzer Division at $6, Sweynesse and Delectaion at $8 and Kermadec at $10.
