WHILE Chris Waller dominates Sydney racing at the top end...
WHILE Chris Waller dominates Sydney racing at the top end, the premier trainer admitted he gained a “big kick” out of winning a modest mid-week race at Sportingbet Park on Wednesday.
Waller saddled up former UK stayer Rugged Cross to win the Le Pines Funerals Handicap at the four-year-old’s first run in Australia.
And, to add to the moment, Waller also prepared High On Believing to run the quinella.
“To be really honest, I got a big kick out of it. It was a good feeling,” Waller said.
Waller said the irony of preparing the quinella, something he does on a regular basis in Sydney, was not lost on him.
He noted one of the reasons he sought a satellite stable in Melbourne was so he would not have his horses running against himself.
“So, what happens, we have two horses in the same race in Melbourne, but it’s always been my philosophy that if the horse is fit and ready then you run them. Unfortunately, they were both in together.’
Rugged Cross, raced, among others by Neil Werrett and Bruce Mathieson, has the potential, according to Waller to progress to at least a Listed race winner.
“I think he’s going to be a pretty handy horse and obviously the trainer in the UK must have thought a bit of him to run him the Derby,” Waller said. (racingnetwork.com.au)