Chris Waller has come a long way since he worked as a strapper for New Zealand trainer Paddy Busuttin and will launch a three-pronged attack against his former mentor in the Metropolitan Handicap.Waller, currently Sydney's leading trainer, has Bellagio Wynn, Enzedex Eagle and The Embassy in Saturday's Group One staying test over 2400 metres at Randwick while Busuttin has brought Six O'Clock News across the Tasman.Waller got his taste for Sydney racing when he came over as Busuttin's foreman with
Chris Waller has come a long way since he worked as a strapper for New Zealand trainer Paddy Busuttin and will launch a three-pronged attack against his former mentor in the Metropolitan Handicap.
Waller, currently Sydney's leading trainer, has Bellagio Wynn, Enzedex Eagle and The Embassy in Saturday's Group One staying test over 2400 metres at Randwick while Busuttin has brought Six O'Clock News across the Tasman.
Waller got his taste for Sydney racing when he came over as Busuttin's foreman with a couple of the stable's horses in the 1990s.
"Paddy was certainly my idol when I started out and I've still got the utmost respect for him," Waller said.
"It's through the opportunities I got from him that I'm here where I am today.
"I worked as a strapper and then his foreman for a couple of years before he went to Singapore.
"I brought horses to Sydney and it was such a great experience and I really got the taste for it."
Much as he respects Busuttin, there will be no quarter given on the track with Waller's trio all out to beat each other and the rest of the field.
However, Waller admits that might be difficult with most of the field on 53 kilograms due to the compression of weights.
The Gerald Ryan-trained Ready To Lift has just half a kilo more and Waller says the mare is weighted to win.
"I think Ready To Lift is a handicapping certainty," he said.
"She just gets into the race so well."
Waller's three are all on 53kg as is Six O'Clock News who will be ridden by veteran New Zealander Noel Harris.
Waller's association with Harris also goes back a long way but he's banking on the local jockeys getting the better of him.
"Noel rode my first winner, Go Morgan at Trentham in 1997, so we go back," Waller said.
Of his three, Waller says the consistent Bellagio Wynn and Enzedex Eagle should perform to their usual standard while The Embassy still has a way to go but could surprise.
"Bellagio Wynn and Enzedex Eagle get their chances, they are both fit and in form," he said.
"The Embassy is not as well performed but he still has plenty of improvement in him.
"Whether it's now or in six months time, we will see on Saturday."
Six O'Clock News is a Group Two winner over 2400 metres in New Zealand and finished fifth in this year's Auckland Cup (3200m).
Speed Gifted ($3.40) remained the steady favourite for the Metropolitan ahead of Ready To Lift ($5) with Bellagio Wynn at $15, Six O'Clock News $17, Enzedex Eagle $21 and The Embassy $21 with TAB Sportsbet on Thursday.