Waller's fillies lead Phar Lap Stakes charge with Panova
The Phar Lap Stakes has proven a reliable springboard for Chris Waller's up-and-coming three-year-olds over the past decade-plus, but this installment brings a small change.
Since Winx notched his debut victory in 2015, the master trainer has taken the prize eight times, and come Saturday he's represented by Australian Guineas third-place finisher and heavy favourite Sixties, as well as lesser-tested fillies Panova ($7.50) and Soverato ($19).
Aiming toward the Doncaster Mile (1600m), Sixties could become Waller's pioneer colt winner in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) with a positive result.
All prior conquests were by fillies, yet Panova, viewed as his backup in betting, mirrors the mould of his earlier champions.
Panova took the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last spring but managed only sixth in the Surround Stakes (1400m) upon her latest start.
Waller remains confident of improvement, highlighting how the race's early autumn slot ideally prepares select fillies.
"It's just one step back from the Group Ones and seems to give them good confidence. It has been a good stepping stone," Waller said.
"And Panova is really nice filly. I expected her to run a length or two better first-up, but I'm not reading too much into it. I just think she was underdone. She is a good horse."
Meanwhile, Adrian Bott hopes Shangri La Boy delivers better in the Group 2 after dictating and weakening in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) post-spring.
This showing will dictate subsequent plans after a disappointing fresh run altered directions.
"A performance well below par first-up, hence the reason we pivoted from the Randwick Guineas, which was always the original plan," Bott said.
"Hopefully this is a race we can see him bounce back in and gain some confidence through, and then we can adjust the back end of the campaign."
The colt thrives at Rosehill with two triumphs in three goes and Nash Rawiller in the irons.
Visit the online bookmakers to find the best racing betting markets for the Phar Lap Stakes.
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