Chris Waller assesses Chelmsford Stakes contenders
Champion trainer Chris Waller is looking for better showings from Fangirl and Lindermann in Saturday's Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick.
The pair finished well back in the Winx Stakes, behind their stablemate Autumn Glow, securing 10th and 9th placings respectively. While Waller was prepared to overlook their efforts in a race run at a high tempo, he acknowledged that the conclusion of the career for the eight-year-old mare Fangirl might be imminent.
Fangirl, who has secured four Group One victories, recorded her largest defeat when finishing 7.4 lengths behind the winner in the Winx Stakes.
"Fangirl, she'll probably race and it'll be a deciding run for her," Waller explained.
"It was a strong run race and the backmarkers struggled to get into it.
"It's a bit of a turning point for her, she owes us nothing, if she wants to race, she'll race on but if she wants to be a mum then she'll go be a mum."
Lindermann, the victor of last year's Chelmsford Stakes, managed to recover from his 10th position in the Winx Stakes, where he was behind Via Sistina, and Waller is anticipating a substantial improvement from the seven-year-old gelding.
"Lindermann was just at his top throughout, Hughy (Bowman) said he was just out of his comfort zone there," Waller stated.
"I think what we found on Saturday if you weren't rock hard fit, it was a tough race.
"And that showed the class of Autumn Glow and obviously Sheza Alibi, because it showed up Aeliana, it showed up Fangirl and it showed up Lindermann, they were a bit soft but that's a good starting point for the preparation."
Asterix, who has been freshened and last won the Group 3 Tattersall's Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm, is also likely to take part. Waller hinted that the gelding might be set for a Caulfield Cup preparation in Melbourne after his Randwick outing.
Lindermann is currently the second favourite for the Chelmsford Stakes, with Ceolwulf heading the market. Ceolwulf, who ran fifth in the Winx Stakes, has been given the all-clear to compete after minor traces of blood were found in a nostril following his initial start.
With the Chelmsford Stakes approaching, punters are checking out the betting sites to get their bets on.
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