Chris Waller colts geared up for Randwick Sires' produce stakes
Success or failure aside, the rigorous challenge posed by a Golden Slipper tends to test two-year-olds heavily, but trainer Chris Waller notes this wasn't true for rising star colt Campione D'italia.
"You wouldn't know he's had a run," Waller said.
This son of Snitzel offered perhaps the most impressive display in the Golden Slipper, rallying from the tail to claim fourth spot, beaten just two lengths by winner Guest House.
That result built on his tight triumph in the Skyline Stakes (1200m), during which he closed strongly from rearward, hinting that the 1400m journey of the Group 1 Sires' Produce Stakes on Saturday at Randwick will be ideal.
"The Golden Slipper was only his third start in a race and he's getting more tractable each time he runs," Waller said.
"And he's learning all the time. He's coping really well with his racing."
In Saturday's 14-runner event, Campione D'Italia has secured barrier three, whereas fellow stable colt Fireball must negotiate the wide gate 12.
Fireball settled midfield through the Slipper and, despite not threatening the front, Waller sensed he too was suited to stepping up in trip.
"He wasn't beaten far and I thought he raced like a 1400 metre horse too," he said.
Out of the 14 contenders in the Sires' Produce Stakes, five took part in the juvenile triple crown's initial race, alongside the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) scheduled for Randwick on April 18.
Additional Slipper graduates appearing in the Sires' are Streisand, victor of the Blue Diamond Stakes and second in the Slipper, Zambales who was ninth, and Paradoxium in eleventh place.
Head to the online bookmakers to find the best racing betting markets for the Sires' Produce Stakes.
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