Waihaha Falls in good shape ahead of the Razor Sharp Handicap

Sprinter Waihaha Falls won’t get his preferred rain-affected conditions at Randwick, but he will have another couple of factors in his favour when he lines-up in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap.

The six-year-old resumed with a solid fifth over the same course and distance on Melbourne Cup Day, the effort satisfying trainer John O’Shea he had returned in good shape.

Knowing the gelding appreciates his races spaced, O’Shea has given him a month between runs and significantly, Waihaha Falls arrives at the Razor Sharp second-up.

The horse has four wins and four placings from 17 starts, half of those coming at his second run from a spell, and the timing of his appearance in a stakes race is no coincidence.

“It has been on our radar for a while,” O’Shea said.

“He would have preferred a little toe (in the ground) but he’s a horse that loves being three or four weeks between runs and he gets that on Saturday.

“He gets a good gate (barrier three) and he’s taken a really big step forward from his first-up run.

“It’s a nice race for him.”

With Devil’s Throat a scratching, a field of 11 will contest the feature sprint, including three last-start winners in Insurrection, With Your Blessing and Dynamic Impact.

David Payne confirmed Fox Fighter would back-up from his fourth behind Dragonstone in the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill last weekend, the horse having performed well off a seven-day turnaround twice before.

“Most horses you can back-up, as long as you don’t hurt them in between,” Payne said.

“He will run well and 1200 will suit him.

“It was a good run last week, it just didn’t work out. He had to go a bit early on him but the horse is well.”