Chris Waller pressing for fourth G1 JJ Atkins Stakes win

Posted by RS NewsWire at 7:59pm on June 4th

The Brisbane carnival is in full effect and trainer Chris Waller will be hoping to post a fourth victory in the $1 million JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm next weekend.

He has tasted success in the Group One feature with The Autumn Sun in 2018, Press Statement in 2015 and Pressday in 2010 and the champion conditioner has assembled another crack team of two-year-olds to add to his ever-growing stakes tally.

His Dundeel colt Tannhauser heads into the race following a fast-finishing Randwick victory last Saturday and Waller sees some comparisons to another juvenile of his that came good at the backend of this year’s Sydney autumn carnival.

“His win the other day was something special and he’s settled in well and he’s thriving,” Waller said.

“There’s a bit of (dual-Group One winner) Militarize about him, he’s got his confidence and gone to a whole new level.

“He went into his win at Randwick last week with a bit of confidence because we were seeing good things at home. Obviously, luck in running is a big thing but he showed last start he can come from the back and James (Mcdonald) will ride him.”

Waller will also saddle up his colt Chrysaor who has spent the majority of time at his Queensland operation. The son of Better Than Ready has had all but one of six runs to date up north and Waller believes the 1600m will be to his liking.

“He’s come through the Sires Produce run (3rd) really well, he didn’t have any luck at all,” Waller lamented.

“I don’t think the mile will be a problem, just tossing up whether he needs the blinkers as he was a touch aggressive last start.

“We’ll make that decision Tuesday morning, Nash (Rawiller) is going up to ride him and he’ll be on him on Saturday.

“He’s ready to run a mile once we tinker with his gear. He’s a genuine top-three chance and could easily win the race.”

Waller isn’t ruling out running his colt Congregation either on the back of a narrow victory at Rosehill yesterday. The Snitzel progeny showed great tenacity to hold off stablemate Tutta La Vita in a stirring finish over 1300m and may replicate his winner of the JJ Atkins in 2015.

“We might consider it, we’ll talk with Coolmore early next week,” Waller said.

“We did the same thing with Press Statement, he won this race and went up seven days later.

“It’s not easy but he’s a very good horse and we’ll give it serious consideration.”

All three Waller runners are well in the All-In betting markets with Tannhauser equal favourite at $6 and Chrysaor and Congregation not far behind at the $8 quote.

More Racing News

Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch

Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...

Yesterday

Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup

The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...

Yesterday

Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success

Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...

Apr 18th

All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory

Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...

Apr 18th

Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup

Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...

Apr 18th

Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes

At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...

Apr 18th

Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes

Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...

Apr 18th

JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest

The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...

Apr 18th

Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby

With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud,...

Apr 18th

Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign

Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...

Apr 18th