Waller stable disregard wide gate for Riva De Lago in Epsom Handicap

The Chris Waller stable have disregarded the horror barrier drew for Riva De Lago in the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday and will rely on the brilliance of Jim Cassidy to overcome the setback.

Riva De Lago has to over wide gate in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick.

Riva De Lago has to over wide gate in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Waller and Cassidy were both on the back foot three weeks ago when Zoustar drew the outside of the sixteen horse field in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill, but Cassidy was able to weave his magic and get the Northern Meteor colt home with a cool ride.

Cassidy is one win away from his one hundredth Group 1 win and he will be at his scheming best to produce Riva De Lao a winner from barrier seventeen.

Waller’s racing manager Liam Prior said that he has full confidence that Cassidy can produce another first class ride on Riva De Lago and overcome any disadvantage of the wide draw.

“Jim Cassidy just weaved his magic and won a Group 1 on a very exciting colt from the widest draw,” Prior said at today’s Epsom barrier draw at The Star Casino.

“You can’t get disappointed by drawing a wide barrier. Actually in this race I remember Grahame Begg said a couple of years ago before Secret Admirer won the Epsom, she drew the outside that day, he said she could win from anywhere.”

“So the outside draws in the Epsom don’t have a bad record.”

Prior is confident that Riva De Lago will run a strong 1600m after winning last start over 1400m in the Group 2 $200,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill last Saturday week with Cassidy aboard.

And the six year old also ran second over 1500m during the Autumn in the Group 2 $175,000 Hyland Race Colours Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

“He is obviously untried. He did run second in the Ajax in the Autumn and the way he is racing and the way he relaxes in his races and finish off gives you every indication that he will run the mile.”

“And you get no more confidence than when a bloke like Jimmy Cassidy says that he is confident that he will.”

Waller only had mediocre luck with his other two runners at the barrier draw with Doncaster Mile winner Sacred Falls drawing nine and up and coming galloper Boban coming up with gate eleven.

Sacred Falls has been unplaced from his two runs this campaign with Kerrin McEvoy taking over from Tommy Berry following his last start seventh to Streama in the Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 21.

While Boban stepped out of restricted class with a win in the Group 3 $125,000 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on the same day and Glyn Schofield has retained the ride.

The inform Boban has been elevated to the $4.50 favourite for the Epsom with last start Cameron Handicap winner Toydini at $4.80 just in front of stalemate Streama at $5.50.

Sacred Falls is next in the market order at $9 while Riva De Lago has been marked a $17 chance.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.