Trainer Chris Waller has revealed that New Zealand stayer Who Shot Thebarman has been set for a 2014 Melbourne Cup campaign.
Who Shot Thebarman finished behind The Offer in the Sydney Cup during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Photo by: Steve Hart
Who Shot Thebarman joined the Waller stable after he made his Australian racing debut with a ninth place finish in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on April 19 and he made his first public appearance for his new stable with a sixth place finish in a barrier trial over 900 metres at Rosehill Gardens yesterday.
Waller told AAP that he has been happy with that Who Shot Thebarman has settled into his stable and he confirmed that he will attempt to plot a path to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4 with the Yamanin Vital gelding.
“He is a typical New Zealand stayer and is a lightly framed horse,” Waller said.
“He has put on weight and is a stayer with some substance.
“He went back to New Zealand after the Sydney Cup for a spell and came to us a few weeks ago and has settled in well.
“I’m not sure where he will start off; it depends where he sits in the scale of things.
“His Auckland Cup win shows how strong he is at 3200 metres.”
Who Shot Thebarman made his racing debut as a late four-year-old in April last year and had instant success; taking out two races at Trentham by a combined total of 10 and a half lengths.
The talented stayer was given a stint in the spelling paddock before returning to the races in October and he earned himself an opportunity at Group level with two wins at Riccarton Park.
Who Shot Thebarman was denied a maiden win at Group level by Military Move in the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) at Awapuni on December 21 last year, but he returned to winning form in the Group 2 Avondale Gold Cup (2400m) ay Ellerslie on February 15.
The five-year-old was extremely well-backed in the lead-up to the Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on March 5 and he overraced in the early stages of the race, but was still too strong for the rest of the field in the concluding stages.
Waller is chasing his first win in the Melbourne Cup after previously missing the placings with Foreteller (2013), Hawkspur (2013), Kelinni (2012), The Verminator (2011), Hawk Island (2011) and Warringah (2009).
Who Shot Thebarman is currently available at a quote of $41 in the 2014 Melbourne Cup betting market at Ladbrokes Australia.
