Waller favouring G2 Run To The Rose for Militarize
Dual Group 1 winner Militarize is set to make his seasonal return in The Run To The Rose with trainer Chris Waller increasingly lukewarm on pitting him against the older horses in the Theo Marks Stakes.
The colt is an acceptor for both races and while he was originally an emergency for the latter, the early scratching of Wild Planet has cleared a path for him to run.
However, Waller wasn’t thrilled with his 55kg handicap or barrier 11 in the Theo Mark Stakes (1300m) and confirmed he was now favouring The Run To The Rose (1200m) as the most suitable first-up target.
Under the set weights and penalties conditions of the three-year-old feature, Militarize will carry topweight of 58.5kg and has drawn barrier seven in the field of 12.
“I think we’ll run him in the three-year-old race, which wasn’t my original plan,” Waller said.
“It’s a smaller field and he’s not in that well in at the weights in the Theo Marks against the older horses, not as well as I thought he might have been.
“I wouldn’t be expecting him to win over 1200, but I think it’s a good stepping-stone towards the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas, which I think is his race.”
Militarize was one of five Waller runners paid up for the Theo Marks, but the champion trainer said that squad would likely reduce to three.
Along with Militarize, fellow dual acceptor Zougotcha is also expected to bypass the Group 2 with Waller favouring keeping her to fillies and mares’ grade in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
“I think we’re leaning towards the Sheraco now, just because I’ve put the blinkers on hoping that will give us enough speed from the perfect barrier, which is gate four,” Waller said.
“It’s a field of eight, her own sex, whereas the Theo Marks we’ve got a few other chances as well and she’s drawn a little bit wider (eight).”
Waller’s Queensland Derby winner Kovalica is an early $4.80 Boombet.com.au favourite for the Theo Marks Stakes and will be joined in the race by stablemates Madame Pommery ($8) and Waterford ($12).
More Racing News
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Joe Pride confident Private Eye is on the right track ahead of Doomben 10,000
Private Eye has never raced at Doomben, but Joe Pride is banking on the track giving his charge an advantage over favourite I Wish I Win when they clash in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000. A backmarker with a devastating finish, I Wish I Win is an even-money fancy for Saturday’s Group 1 race, while...