Influential heads Waller's Spring Stakes chances

Chris Waller might have two longer priced runners in the black-type feature at Newcastle on Saturday but despite their market positions for this event he could be eyeing Queensland Summer Carnival features for them down the track.

Waller has accepted with three horses in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) with Influential rated a $7 chance with bookmakers along with fellow three-year-olds Jurisprudence and both at $34.

Waller is yet to make a decision on which of the latter pair will be scratched from Saturday’s race in favour of a confidence builder outing at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, and either could have their longer focus on the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm on December 16.

“They’ve both drawn wide,” Waller said.

“And they’re both the same ownership and very similar horses, both by Justify.

“They’ll both be better when they get to 2000-metres but they’re nice colts who we have taken our time with.

“Now is the time give them some confidence but I couldn’t pick which one at the moment as they’re nice progressive horses.”

Influential returns to ‘right-handed’ racing after finishing seventh in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

A gelding by the smart stallion The Autumn Sun, Influential has Josh Parr in the saddle for his Newcastle outing.

“He seemed to struggle left-handed,” Waller said.

“He got quite lost turning for him and was a bit plain as a result hence why we’ve brought him back (across the border).

“He’ll be better right-handed.”

Unbeaten in two starts, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Invincible Spy is the $4 favourite for the Spring Stakes, an event that Chris Waller has won twice before with The Elanora in 2020 and Devil Hawk in 2015.