Chris Waller has included three gallopers in the 2015 The BMW field and the leading Sydney trainer believes that Who Shot Thebarman is his best chance in the Group 1 event at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday afternoon.
Who Shot Thebarman is one of three Chris Waller-trained gallopers that is set to contest The BMW this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Who Shot Thebarman started his 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with a fast-finishing fifth behind Contributer in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 and he did his best work late again when fourth in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.
Waller believes that Who Shot Thebarman will relish the step-up to 2400 metres in The BMW and he believes that the Melbourne Cup placegetter is a much better chance than his The BMW odds suggest.
“I loved the way that he finished off last start in the last 100 metres and we know that the distance is no problem for him – 2400 metres he will eat it,” Waller said.
“He is going terrific and he is third-up back from a spell.
“(Glen) Boss hops back aboard, he knows the horse, has two or three wins on him and was third in a Melbourne Cup.
“Barrier nine is no problem and he will be right.
“I think he is very hard to beat.”
Beaten Up made a slow start to his return from a tendon injury and he failed to fire in the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 14 and the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 28, but he produced an improved effort when fifth in the Sky High Stakes.
Waller has been happy with the progress of Beaten Up this preparation, but he admits that he is unsure how the Beat Hollow gelding will handle the step-up to 2400 metres for the first time in his Australian racing career.
“It won’t be easy, but that is Glyn’s (Schofield) problem,” Schofield said.
“He was a 2400 metre winner in England and he has plenty of miles in his legs this prep.”
Rounding out the Waller-trained trio in The BMW is The Metropolitan winner Opinion, who hit the line very strongly to finish second behind Hartnell in the Sky High Stakes.
Waller believes that Opinion is well and truly on track for the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, but does not believe that the Oasis Dream gelding is suited by the weight-for-age conditions of The BMW.
“He only has to run in the top five to be a key chance in the Sydney Cup,” Waller said.
“In the Sydney Cup Opinion drops to something like 52 and a half kilos and it is a big drop.”
Who Shot Thebarman is available at 2015 The BMW odds of $17, while Opinion ($31) and Beaten Up ($51) are both priced at lengthy quotes.
