Leading trainer Chris Waller is confident of further success at the highest level of Australian racing during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, confirming his stable’s classy milers have taken well to their time in the spelling paddock.
Trainer Chris Waller has revealed Royal Descent will target the 2014 Cox Plate during the Spring Racing Carnival. Photo: Steve Hart
Charging home to successfully defend his 2013 Group 1 Doncaster Mile crown last time out, Waller said he is perhaps most excited by the form and condition of Sacred Falls, whom he believes is only just reaching peak physical condition.
“He has been back in the stable about ten days,” Waller told AAP.
“Even though he has won two Doncasters, he is only now really maturing.
“He is a very serious horse.”
Running second to Sacred Falls in the 2014 Doncaster Mile, Royal Descent won the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on a soaked Randwick track in 2013 and has also returned to work ahead of a preparation geared towards the major Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 25th.
“We will have a crack at the Cox Plate with Royal Descent,” Waller said.
“She came close in the Doncaster. She won the Oaks on a very wet track but that was against her own age.
“I don’t think she is just a wet tracker.
Undoubtedly Waller’s standout performer over the 2013 spring, Boban claimed a perfect record of five wins from as many starts, including both the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m).
“Boban is also back and he is looking good. I think it is the best he has ever spelled,” Waller added.
“In the spring he didn’t spell well but this time he is different.”
Returning to racing in exceptional form over four starts this year, Sacred Falls was unlucky to finish just outside the places in both the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) before winning the Doncaster Mile by more than half a length.
While unable to break through for a race win in four starts of her own, Royal Descent produced a strong and consistent autumn campaign; finishing fourth amongst classy competition in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) first-up and fifth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) prior to the Doncaster.
Unable to match the late pace in each of his first two starts in autumn, Boban returned to the winner’s circle when securing a third Group 1 title in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) most notably on March 8th.
