Easy day out planned for Chris Waller stars
Several of Chris Waller’s biggest names are key players in Tuesday’s star-studded trial set at Rosehill, but the champion trainer said racing fans should not expect an any early-campaign statement from any of his team.
Fangirl, Via Sistina, Riff Rocket, Joliestar and Zougotcha are among those who will be given an easy time of things at their first public appearances of the preparation.
“They’ve had good breaks, everything trialling Tuesday is the same – they’re still a month away from racing – so respect that,” Waller said from Rosehill on Saturday.
“Don’t expect them to come out and win their trials, because they’re 28 days off race fitness, but I couldn’t be happier with all of them.”
Ranvet Stakes winner and Cox Plate fancy Via Sistina will trial over 1000 metres, alongside stablemate and one-time Melbourne Cup favourite Francesco Guardi, in the opening trial.
Dual Derby winner Riff Rocket and Thousand Guineas heroine Joliestar are among the Waller stable members in the following trial, over 900m.
The second 900m hit-out, which is trial number three, contains multiple Group 1-winning mares Fangirl, Zougotcha and Atishu.
They are names prominent in betting on a swag of Spring features, including the first Group 1 of the season – the $1 million Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 24 – and while Waller will have strong representation in that 1400m race, not all of Tuesday’s runners to head that way.
“We’ll just get them through the trial (but) I don’t want them all running in the Winx Stakes,” Waller said.
“They’ll be ready to go on Winx Stakes Day but they won’t all run together.
“I would run multiple horses together, but not at that level, there’s some very good horses (around).”
Fangirl heads betting on the Winx Stakes, while she is second favourite for the $5m King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on October 19.
Via Sistina is favourite for the Turnbull Stakes and The Might And Power, both 2000m Group 1s in Melbourne in October, and is joint second favourite for the $5m Cox Plate (2040m) on October 26.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...