One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Francesco Guardi ready to make up for lost time for trainer Chris Waller

Sydney’s leading trainer has been pleased with his talented import on the training track … now he’s ready to bring it to the races this Saturday.

Francesco Guardi was a leading fancy for the Melbourne Cup last year. Picture: George Sal / Racing Photos

Francesco Guardi has shown a glimpse of the talent that saw him considered a leading Melbourne Cup fancy ahead of his a spring comeback at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.

Trainer Chris Waller has been pleased with what he’s seen at home is hoping his gun son of Frankel brings that to the races when he contests the Precise Air Handicap (1400m) with stablemates Hinged and Robusto.

Francesco Guardi went into last spring as one of the top contenders for Australia’s most famous two-mile race but had to be spelled after beating just one runner home in the Caulfield Cup.

He kicks off his latest spring campaign two days earlier than last year after missing the autumn.

“Francesco Guardi resumed at this time last year in the Winx Stakes and didn’t feature in the finish but was only beaten three lengths by Fangirl,” Waller said.

“It’s a year on but he has trialled really well and that’s what we are seeing at home, he has come back really well.

“He is drawn a bit wide (barrier 14) but if he gets a bit of luck in running he should run well.”

1⃣ Tom Kitten
2⃣ Zardozi
3⃣ Francesco Guardi

A @godolphin quinella in the second 1000m trial at Rosehill on Tuesday with Tom Kitten grabbing the stablemate on the line. Buckaroo and Fangirl were behind the placings. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/5oosGibC3L

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 5, 2024

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Francesco Guardi, a $61 chance on Saturday, finished a creditable 10th in the Winx Stakes last year while stablemate Hinged was fourth in the same event.

The option was available to run in the same Group 1 on Saturday week.

“If they don’t run here they are taking on the Group 1 horses like Fangirl and the like next week,” Waller said.

“They can all run but they don’t come out of it with confidence.

“They will both go there and go to the Chelmsford where the others probably won’t go to the Chelmsford.

“It gives us two bites at the cherry and doesn’t break their hearts.”

Trainer Chris Waller will have three runners in the Precise Air. Picture: Richard Dobson

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Waller is desperate for a change of fortunes with Hinged with the talented mare chasing her first win since the Group 1 Surround Stakes in February, 2022.

She is a $5.50 chance to break the lengthy drought.

“The only thing that is going to change Hinged is a bit of confidence,” Waller said.

“She has got three kilos off and drawn fairly (barrier 9).

“Ben Osmond rides her and Zac Wadick rides the other fella so we get the 3kg off both of them.”

Robusto ($17) will also line up as he attempts to bounce back from a flat performance second up.

Originally published as One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Francesco Guardi ready to make up for lost time for trainer Chris Waller