One of Australia’s premier horseman, former Kiwi now Rosehill-based Chris Waller has a dozen chances at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday to become just the fifth trainer in history to prepare 100 or more Sydney winning gallopers in a single season.
Chris Waller is just a hat-trick off training 100 Sydney winners for the current season
Waller is just three victories away from reaching a century of winners in Sydney this season, the dedicated trainer having enjoyed a stunning last few months on the track.
Should he achieve the 100 tomorrow, Waller will add his name to a remarkable list of training champions.
The four Sydney trainers to have trainer at least 100 winners in Sydney during one season to date are the legendary Tommy Smith, fellow Hall of Famer and daughter Gai Waterhouse, John Hawkes and Brian Mayfield-Smith who ended Smith’s famous 33-year Sydney Premiership winning streak scoring three of his own during the mid-eighties.
From his humble beginnings having bought just one horse over for his maiden Sydney assault when still living in Foxton in New Zealand, Waller is now the chief trainer in the New South Wales racing circuit with over 60 thoroughbreds in work.
Leading the current Sydney Trainer’s Premiership race with 97 wins, Waller is well-clear of his rivals with the next best performer being Peter Snowden on 79.5 winners for the season.
Waller looks set to turn the tables on Snowden this time after going down by just three winners last season, Snowden winning the Sydney Premiership with 98 wins, Waller second with 95 city champs.
Having saddled up 938 horses to date since the season began on August 1 last year, Waller has seen 123 wins in total including a quartet of elite level victories.
Waller’s Group 1 victories this season have been with:
- Resuming warhorse Rangirangdoo who took out the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 2 second-up after an injury-enforced spell of nearly 12 months
- Danleigh in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 5
- Star import My Kingdom Of Fife, the former Queen-owned galloper winning their maiden Group 1 in Australia in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (200m) at Randwick on April 23 at just their second start down under
- Hawk Wing gelding Stand To Gain who took out the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 23 after race favourite and stablemate Hawk Island fell during the run
This Saturday he will get the chance to hit the 100 at his home-track, Waller to be represented by 12 horses over the eight-race Rosehill meeting.
Further adding to the anticipation for Waller tomorrow is that a hat-trick will also see him reach an incredible 400 Sydney winners since he began his training career.
Waller’s hopes at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, June 18 are detailed below.
Lightly-raced two-year-old Danzero colt Flying Zero seeking their maiden win at their fourth start in Race 2 – the $70,000 Kingaroy Kitchen Handicap (1300m).
Rising eight-year-old Strike One out for back-to-back wins in the $100,000 Stayer’s Cup (3200m), to be challenged in Race 3 by stablemate, American import and last-start Canterbury winner Patrician’s Glory.
In-form three-year-old Coup Ay Tee seeking two Rosehill wins on the trot in Race 4 – the $70,000 Edmen Group Handicap (1500m).
Johannesburg five-year-old African Prince, Street Cry six-year-old Telesmon and Whipper four-year-old Wazn giving Waller a triple-pronged assault in Race 5 – the $70,000 Techstaff Handicap (1800m).
Progressive Choisir mare Miss Independent and Tale Of The Cat gelding Key West facing off in Race 6 – the $70,000 PM Endeavour Recycled Clothing Handicap (1100m).
Danehill Dancer mare and last-start winner over 1300m at Rosehill First Look and Encosta De Lago four-year-old We Betcha, coming off a second to First Look, giving Waller two chances in Race 7 – the $70,000 Saunders Insurance Brokers Handicap (1400m).
Consistent four-year-ol Zakynthos Imprintz Waller’s last runner of the day in Race 8 – the $70,000 Edmen Community Staffing Handicap (1400m).
