Chris Waller eyeing a fifth WFA Cox Plate

Posted by RS NewsWire at 8:56am on October 23rd

In a bid to claim a fifth Cox Plate champion trainer Chris Waller will give his two representatives extra experience at Moonee Valley ahead of Australasia's weight-for-age championship.

Fangirl and Militarise had their first look at the Moonee Valley circuit on Saturday ahead of the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and will return on Tuesday morning for Breakfast With The Best.

Both horses were not out to break the clock but will be asked to do something more strenuous on Tuesday which Waller said would be their last gallops before Saturday's Cox Plate.

Waller said he was expecting something 'special' from Fangirl when she runs on Saturday, saying the mare had now fully matured.

The only time Fangirl has been seen in Melbourne was when successful in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in October 2021.

"She's always been a slight framed horse, but now she's built into her body, and it's given her a bit more acceleration as well," Waller said.

"I would have had my doubts about her this time last year, as she's taken her time to reach full maturity. She's not a bit robust horse, but she's getting there and that's why you've seen her form go to a slightly higher level.

"I am looking forward to next Saturday with her. I think she is capable of doing something special.

"She's got the ability. The box she has to tick is the 2000-metre box, but she loves a tough Randwick mile, so it's the right time to try."

Fangirl has been tried beyond 1600m just once in her career, winning over 1850m in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Newcastle during the rain-soaked 2022 Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Waller liked what he saw from Militarise when the colt worked on Saturday.

Sent out favourite in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at his most recent start, Waller said Militarise had pulled-up well from that fifth placing behind Griff.

"He's a confidence horse and he didn't get a chance to excel in the Guineas, but there's been no negatives from it," Waller said.

"Although it was soft work, I thought he worked good without running any time, but to my eye he was getting into it and is ready to go.

"It was just a look around for both horses and they will do something a bit more serious on Tuesday and won't do as much looking around, hopefully."

More Racing News

Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win

Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...

Yesterday

Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success

Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...

Yesterday

Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success

Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...

Yesterday

Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...

Yesterday

Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph

A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...

Yesterday

Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up

Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...

Jul 17th

Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements

Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...

Jul 17th

General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions

The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...

Jul 17th

Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test

Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...

Jul 17th

King Pedro defies odds in thrilling Grafton Cup victory

King Pedro has cemented his credentials for the spring staying races following an exceptional display to win the Listed Grafton Cup, navigating a slow-paced affair.Trainer Tom Charlton, observing from his Sydney base, admitted to initial apprehension regarding the track's bias against backmarkers. These nerves were amplified when Tahlia Fenlon, on...

Jul 16th