Trainer Chris Waller is pleased with the condition of his three potential runners set to feature in Saturday’s Group 1 Cantala Stakes field, which will be released by midday today.
Mackintosh has been a standout for Waller throughout the entire 2016 racing calendar, but has undoubtedly stepped up in class since her returned this time for a blistering win in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) on September 10th.
Understandably pleased with how the son of Pins hit the line for third in the featured Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 1st, Waller told AAP that he is confident Mackintosh will relish the conditions of the Cantala Stakes off the back of a four week break between races.
“I think the big plus with Mackintosh is that he’s only had two races this preparation, so he’s quite a fresh horse coming down to Victoria which I think is a big thing,” Waller said.
“And his form is good. He was narrowly beaten in the Epsom. Joao Moreira rides him (on Saturday), so that’s obviously a plus in itself.”
Waller has confirmed that he will also accept positions in the Cantala Stakes field for both McCreery and Good Project, whom he is pleased with.
“He (McCreery) has purposely been kept fresh for this race, trying to keep some speed in his legs,” he said.
“Good Project has been gradually making progress.
“He comes into the race third-up as well, he’s a Group One winner over a mile so I think there’s a little bit of upside there.”
McCreery began his racing career under the guidance of Roger Charlton in the UK, but has quickly found honest Australian form since arriving in Waller’s care at the conclusion of 2016.
Breaking through for a maiden black type win in the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) on August 18th, the Big Bad Bob gelding repeated the dose in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) before placing sixth in the Epsom Handicap last time out.
A Group 1 winner having taken out last year’s edition of the Railway Stakes (1600m) in Perth, Good Project resumed in autumn for third in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) but only managed mid-pack finishes in each of the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) and Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Resuming this time for tenth in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m), the Not A Single Doubt entire improved significantly to finish fourth in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) on October 15th.