Chris Waller taking youthful approach to spring

Chris Waller has dominated Sydney’s training ranks for more than a decade, but he couldn’t be more excited about the group of young horses emerging as his next generation of carnival contenders.

Waller is enjoying his best two-year-old season, not only capturing his first Golden Slipper with Shinzo but clean-sweeping the juvenile triple crown with Militarize in the ATC Sires’ Produce and Champagne Stakes.

Along with his pair of stars, he has also produced a support cast of promising babies such as J J Atkins placegetter Tannhauser and Saturday’s Rosehill winner Tutta La Vita.

His stable’s depth extends to his three-year-old brigade, headlined by the likes of Group 1 winners Zougotcha and Lindermann, along with Hobartville Stakes victor Osipenko.

It is these untapped young guns that Waller hopes can be the foundation of his spring carnival team.

He says it is a privilege to have so many up-and-coming horses for the 2023-24 racing season, especially off the back of a period of rebuilding.

“We have a great crop of two-year-olds and our three-year-olds are very strong,” Waller said.

“We have a great spring team.

“There are the proven ones and another wave we have held back.

“We are in a much stronger position this winter compared to last winter, without a doubt.

“We have gone through a rebuilding phase and it is exciting.”

Despite his indomitable success, Waller has never been a trainer to push his horses early.

There were some who questioned whether he could win a Golden Slipper due to his patient approach, but his handling of Shinzo this year proved the naysayers wrong.

He has also started to attract some well-bred, quality young colts such as Shinzo from the likes of Coolmore.