All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory

Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

In addition, Waller filled the first two positions in the concluding Sydney Group 1 of the campaign, with Lazzura giving chase to her yardmate Beiwacht.

This All Aged Stakes verdict arrived shortly after Waller dominated the trifecta in the feature supporting Group 1, the Champagne Stakes, courtesy of Fireball ahead of Campione D'Italia and Diameter.

With that, Sydney's eight straight weeks of Group 1 fixtures this autumn wrap up via the All Aged Stakes, during which Waller produced a minimum of one Group 1 winner weekly – a stunning accomplishment.

Sydney staged 22 Group 1 events over the autumn period, 12 of which fell to Waller's charges.

Among Waller's high-level scorers were Autumn Glow, Aeliana and Joliestar with dual Group 1 strikes apiece, complemented by single elite hauls from Lazzura, Autumn Boy, Campione D'Italia, Ohope Wins, Fireball and Beiwacht.

Waller considered the Arrowfield Sprint on Championships Day Two for Beiwacht but chose to keep the colt primed specifically for the All Aged Stakes, proving a brilliant call.

"Beiwacht's a very special horse,'' Waller said.

"He did it in the Golden Rose as well when he broke the Rosehill 1400m track record.

"But to beat the older horses in the All Aged Stakes, he was up against an outstanding field, so he gets all the accolades today.''

At $6.50, Beiwacht set the tempo with Nash Rawiller aboard, scoring by one length from $15 chance Lazzura, as Jimmysstar, the previous year's winner at $5.50, flew home for third just a half-head behind.

Favourite Angel Capital at $3.40 took a midfield spot on the inside early but couldn't secure clear running, placing sixth without a full ask.

Half Yours, back after his spring Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double achievement, was ninth, beaten four lengths in a solid fresh effort.

For the 2025-26 season, Waller has 18 Group 1 winners and one additional success will tie his record tally from last year.

With 198 Group 1 career victories, the master trainer nears the 200 mark, set to emulate Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith (246 each) as the only Australians with that many.

Waller outlined why he rested Beiwacht for a month leading into the All Aged Stakes.

"I think he didn't like running down the straight, so we needed to find a stallion-making race that really stamps his authority, and this race stuck out,'' Waller said.

"He ran well on the George Ryder Stakes, it was a softish track that day and today, back on a good track, he was terrific.

"Even his run behind Joliestar (second in the Canterbury Stakes), that showed that he was right up there with the best older horses so it's very exciting."

Beiwacht cruised along under Rawiller and unleashed rapid late splits for a sharp 1m 20.76s clocking, according to the jockey.

"You know what It's like when you're on a really good horse and you know you're home,'' Rawiller said.

"I just love the way he lengthened stride again when I asked him. I was just happy to enjoy it."He's highly talented, let's say he's a sprinter-miler, but at this stage I wouldn't be rushing to get there.

"I think there's plenty of 1200m and 1400m races he could be winning before then."

Godolphin's Tempted and Tentyris head into the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17 as frontrunners, now joined by Beiwacht.

The colt also positions strongly for the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) for four-year-olds at Randwick on October 31.

Godolphin will determine if Beiwacht targets The Everest, per Waller.

"We're lucky to be training these colts but I respect they've got big values so I will see what Godolphin comes up with,'' Waller said."Beiwacht's got a great attitude, I've got a great team behind me that helps get colts like this to the races because it's not an easy task. My team at home do me proud.

"There's lots of options with a horse like this and that's the beauty of racing in Australia and Sydney Racing. We're just so lucky to be racing in this era."

Discover leading online bookmakers offering extensive racing betting markets for the All Aged Stakes.