Hawkesbury Gold Cup looms as Waterford's next mission
Experienced racer Waterford often notches wins through his preparations, with Chris Waller keeping the Hawkesbury Gold Cup firmly in mind as a primary goal for a while now.
Since his last triumph in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill during September, the seven-year-old has been off the track following an unsuccessful comeback in the Doncaster Prelude (1500m) on March 28.
Charlie Duckworth, Waller's assistant trainer, noted that the month-long spell for Waterford was a calculated move to avoid the big Sydney autumn races and zero in on Saturday's Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).
"Literally, it was just to wait for Hawkesbury," Duckworth said.
"He's had four weeks between runs. He's had a barrier trial, and he trialled at Hawkesbury.
"He's more than capable of winning a race like that on his day."
For the Cup, Waller fields a formidable team including Waterford, the hat-trick hopeful Captain Furai, previous runner-up Osipenko, Imperialist, and Yet He Moves.
In the Clarendon Stakes (1400m), Waller boasts five of eight starters, featuring young The Autumn Sun colt The Roaring Sun, runner-up to the promising Seraphox on his first outing at Warwick Farm earlier this month.
The assistant trainer sees stakes potential in the colt and anticipates the Saturday feature serving as a springboard towards the Brisbane winter series.
"Our best two-year-old going there is The Roaring Sun. He was narrowly beaten at Warwick Farm, caught wide the trip," Duckworth said.
"He is a genuine Group horse, and this is a race Chris has used in the past as a stepping stone (to Queensland)."
Horses of note have taken the Clarendon Stakes, such as Zardozi's 2023 victory before her VRC Oaks (2500m) success the subsequent spring.
Several of Waller's developing two-year-olds have progressed from this race to Brisbane under his guidance, including 2013 victor Zoustar, who later won the Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Doomben and was second in the Group 1 J J Atkins (1600m).
Discover competitive online bookmakers offering the keenest markets for the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.
More Racing News
Boomtown Boss heads south for Flemington's Aurie's Star Handicap challenge
Tony Gollan, a Brisbane-based trainer, has dispatched Boomtown Boss, a capable gelding, to Melbourne with the intention of broadening the horse's horizons ahead of his first-up attempt in the Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington on Saturday.The Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap, a 1200-metre contest, might serve as the initial step...
Home Affairs Dominates Freshman Sire Premiership
The season is winding down, and Home Affairs is set to be crowned Australia's Champion First-Season Sire. Coolmore's exciting young stallion has produced a remarkable debut crop that has significantly exceeded expectations.While the final tally for his stallion premierships won't be confirmed until the season's close, one major accolade has...
Funshow ready for Saturday grade challenge
With the spring carnival on the horizon, trainer Nathan Doyle is eager to seize the moment by testing progressive gelding Funshow in Saturday metropolitan races.The son of Cosmic Force, who has impressively won his last two outings by a combined 6-1/2 lengths, is slated for a Benchmark 72 race over...
Sobek set for Rosehill debut as Singleton anticipates Highway Handicap success
Trainer Scott Singleton has grown accustomed to Sobek's winning ways and is keen to unveil the undefeated gelding in metropolitan racing this weekend.Sobek is scheduled to make his city debut at Rosehill's season-opening meeting on Saturday. The talented four-year-old has been nominated for two 1200-metre events: the $160,000 Benchmark 72...
Spring Preparations Commence for Planet Red and Sabaj
Although Planet Red and Sabaj have distinct goals for the spring racing season, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained geldings might cross paths during their preparations.The two horses completed their initial jumpouts of the campaign on Monday morning at Cranbourne.Sabaj finished third, less than two lengths behind the winner...
Farewell to a Champion: Stern Idol's Final Race Approaches
The illustrious career of champion jumper Stern Idol is nearing its conclusion, with one final outing planned for the Crisp Steeplechase next Sunday.Stern Idol is set to vie for his fourth victory in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) before being retired from racing.Trainer Ciaron Maher was effusive in his praise for...
Autumn Boy's Spring Campaign: Unfinished Business Awaits
Prominent trainer Chris Waller believes star colt Autumn Boy has unfinished business to attend to this spring, with the intention to achieve what his father, The Autumn Sun, could not.The Autumn Sun, also trained by Waller, boasts an impressive record of eight wins from nine starts before his retirement at...
Cosmic Crusader dominates Bletchingly Stakes in first start for Andrea Leek
A former Perth galloper, Cosmic Crusader, has made an immediate impact on the eastern seaboard, claiming the season's final Stakes race at Caulfield.In his inaugural start for the Andrea Leek stable, Cosmic Crusader captured the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. This victory follows his second-place finish in the...
Rock Empire stages remarkable comeback win at Randwick
Narbold appeared to have the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1600m) in the bag when it sprinted clear of Rock Empire, however, the latter displayed immense grit to fight back and snatch the lead in the final strides. While Maher was absent from Randwick on Saturday, his dependable stable lieutenant, Johann...
Sir Les impresses with dominant Randwick victory
Trainer Craig Carmody, who experienced significant jockeying triumphs at Randwick, has leveraged his past expertise to guide the promising sprinter Sir Les to an important win at the iconic venue.Carmody's career as a jockey was highlighted by his partnership with the Group 1 winner Intergaze, famously spoiling Octagonal's swansong in...