Not the big one, but Lindermann eyes 2025 Craven Plate success

Champion trainer Chris Waller is confident he’s made the right call by keeping Lindermann at home in Sydney rather than venturing south for the $6 million Cox Plate. The six-year-old star will instead line up in Saturday’s $750,000 Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick, chasing a third win from his past four starts.

Waller’s decision comes after Lindermann’s impressive run of spring performances — a commanding victory in the $2 million Hill Stakes (1900m), a gallant second to Fangirl in the 7 Stakes (1600m), and an earlier success in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) over Sir Delius. The gelding is clearly thriving, and Waller believes staying local will only enhance his confidence.

“We chose to stick to Sydney, leave the Cox Plate alone and get him back on top,” Waller said. “We’ll let him think he’s the top dog and we can have a good look in the autumn and try and measure up in Ranvets and Queen Elizabeths if we desire. He’s won a Hill Stakes worth good money, he’s been running behind the right horses when he hasn’t been winning and he’s ready to go Saturday.”

Lindermann’s resurgence follows a long stretch of near misses. After going winless in nine starts since last year’s Craven Plate, he returned to form with Group 1 placings behind Via Sistina in the Verry Elleegant Stakes and Ranvet Stakes, reaffirming his class at the top level.

This campaign, he’s already banked $1.52 million in prizemoney, pushing his career total to over $3.63 million. With another $430,000 on the line for Saturday’s Craven Plate, Lindermann could end the spring as one of the most successful Australian-trained gallopers of 2025.

Jockey Nash Rawiller, who has partnered Lindermann throughout his current campaign, retains the ride and will jump from barrier two as the commanding $1.55 favourite in a small but quality field of seven following Pocketing’s withdrawal.

A strong showing at Randwick would not only cap off a rewarding preparation but also set Lindermann up for an exciting 2026 campaign, potentially aimed at Australia’s richest weight-for-age features. Compare the best betting odds for the Craven Plate at Australia’s betting sites.