Waller out for more 2025 Coolmore Stud Stakes success

Run down the iconic Flemington straight on day one of Cup week, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes has emerged as Australia’s pre-eminent stallion-forging contest since 2006.

Its roll call—Star Witness, Sepoy, Zoustar, Brazen Beau, Flying Artie, Merchant Navy, Exceedance, Home Affairs and Switzerland—underscores the race’s impact.

Six-time winning trainer Chris Waller bids to enhance that tally in Saturday’s 1200m straight-course sprint for three-year-olds with the Godolphin-owned Beiwacht.

Beiwacht, a Sydney campaigner to date, trialled down the straight for the first time last Friday and finished third in a jump-out.

For Waller, the reconnaissance mattered far more than the placing.

“I think it’s really important,” Waller said.

“Most of our winners have done it once or twice and it certainly makes you feel better.

“It’s one less of those things you have to worry about come race day, especially Sydney horses who are looking for that running rail.

“Depending on where you’ve drawn, inside or out, at least you’ve been down the straight, and they don’t have to drift across left or right from wherever they have drawn.”

His last-start demolition in the Golden Rose (1400m) in race-record time strengthens the case—traditionally a potent guide to the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

According to Waller, Beiwacht mirrors the attributes of prior stable winners.

“He’s got, which you need up the straight, he’s got the ability to run 1400 metres,” Waller said.

“He’s a big strong horse, he’s been down for a week, he’s settled in well, so he’s got what it takes.

“His training is done. It’s a matter of keeping him together, fresh and ready for Saturday.”

Connections are also weighing a northern mission, with talks around Dubai and Ascot straight-course options later in the season.

“It’s about doing the little things right and giving him experience up the straight which could unlock doors in the second half of his three-year-old year with straight racing,” Waller said.

“That could open up Dubai, it could open up Ascot. They’re certainly options.

“You want to travel good horses, especially colts, because you only have them for a short time before they head off to the stallion barn.”

Adam Hyeronimus keeps the ride, with James McDonald—successful in three of the past four editions of the Coolmore Stud Stakes—remaining in Sydney.

“He’s a tricky horse, but he gets him to settle, and he has turned into a very tractable horse,” Waller said.

“Winning a Group 1 race on him in Sydney and with James not being in Melbourne, it was a pretty easy call.

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