Chris Waller was moved to tears when problem-laden gelding Metal Bender scooted along the inside to deliver him a third successive Group One George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.The winner of the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas as a three-year-old when prepared by the late Jack Denham, Metal Bender's career has been thwarted by setbacks and injury.He bled during the 2010 Mackinnon Stakes incurring an automatic three-month ban then one run into his comeback he bowed a tendon and was sideline
Chris Waller was moved to tears when problem-laden gelding Metal Bender scooted along the inside to deliver him a third successive Group One George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
The winner of the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas as a three-year-old when prepared by the late Jack Denham, Metal Bender's career has been thwarted by setbacks and injury.
He bled during the 2010 Mackinnon Stakes incurring an automatic three-month ban then one run into his comeback he bowed a tendon and was sidelined for more than a year.
The George Ryder (1500m) was Metal Bender's second run back from his tendon injury and an emotional Waller praised the six-year-old's courage.
"He's had plenty of problems," Waller said.
"It's just an amazing performance.
"It's a big effort for a horse who has been off for such a long time.
Ridden by Michael Rodd, Metal Bender settled in the second half of the hot George Ryder field.
Stablemate Rangirangdoo ($6) loomed at the 200m and looked poised to go back-to-back just 12 months after making a startling return from his own injury problems to win the feature.
But his run peaked and it was Metal Bender ($15) who prevailed in a driving finish, scoring by a nose over Victorian Rekindled Interest ($26) with Secret Admirer ($9) a long head back third and Rangirangdoo sixth.
"My heart was in my mouth," Waller said.
"Rangi went super. He just died on his run a little bit, probably dropping back from 2000 metres just took that zing out of him.
"I saw Metal Bender coming. I just didn't know if he was coming fast enough."
Waller will let the dust settle before determining Metal Bender's next start.
His options are wide-ranging with the All-Aged Stakes (1400m), Doncaster Mile (1600m) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) over the Sydney carnival all still in the mix.
Rangirangdoo is likely to press on to the Doncaster in two weeks.
Waller also claimed the George Ryder three years ago with Danleigh who was the most disappointing of his quartet of runners on Saturday finishing 13th while Albert The Fat was ninth.
Niagara, a brilliant winner of the Ajax Stakes last weekend, started favourite but weakened after sharing the lead to finish 12th.