Waller to saddle up three chances in Parramatta Cup

Trainer Chris Waller will saddle up three runners in the Listed $125,000 Pacific Hoists Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill and is giving plenty of positives for each of them.

Beyond Thankful,  above, is one of three runners trainer Chris Waller will saddle up in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Beyond Thankful, above, is one of three runners trainer Chris Waller will saddle up in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Topweight Beyond Thankful, Loophole and Sydney Cup hopeful Libran will all give Waller a chance to win another Parramatta Cup with past winners including Opinion in 2014 and Silky Red Boxer in 2007.

Libran is the most fancied of the Waller trio in the market order at Ladbrokes.com.au and has been an early market mover, firming in from $5.50 to be currently on the third line of betting at $5 behind the John O‘Shea trained Allergic at $2.60 and the Kiwi Hasselhoof at $3.40.

Libran has had one run back from from a spell to run on strongly for third to Bull Point in the Gardenia Handicap over 1600m at Randwick fortnight ago and while Waller is keen on his chances on Saturday, he is looking forward to getting the five year old to the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 9, the second day of ‘The Championships’.

“Follow him all the way through to the Sydney Cup,” Waller said.

Waller said that Beyond Thankful is the class runner of the field but his winning form last preparation has propelled him up to the top of the weights.

Beyond Thankful was able to collect the winning trophies for the Listed $150,000 Carlton Mid Wyong Cup (2080m) at Wyong on September 4 and for the Group 3 $175,000 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) at Newcastle on September 18 and has been lumped with 60.5kg in the Parramatta Cup.

The six year old has had one run back from a spell for a fifth in the Gardenia Handicap and Hugh Bowman takes over from apprentice Andrew Atkins.

“His first up run was enormous,” Waller said.

“He was three wide no cover, went terrific. He is going really good.”

“He has a big weight. He is paying the penalty for winning three in a row, Wyong, Newcastle and the race before that.”

Waller was happy to forget the first up effort of Loophole who had to carry 58kg when fifth of ten behind Allergic in a 2000m BenchMark 93 Handicap at Randwick two weeks ago.

Loophole is up in class this week but will drop 4kg on his last run and Kerrin McEvoy replaces claiming apprentice Andrew Atkins and Waller expects the six year old to run an improved race.

“He had a big weight, got lost. He is down on the minimum weight on Saturday. Senior rider hops back aboard,” Waller said.

The Godolphin owned Allergic is chasing a hat trick of wins while Ruakaka trainer Donna Logan is expecting a better showing from Hasselhoof who suffered his first defeat from seven starts when fourth to Bull Point in the Gardenia Handicap.

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.