NewsBite

Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Chris Waller to unleash Fangirl, Via Sistina and more at Tuesday’s barrier trials

Chris Waller had a big weekend on home turf but Tuesday’s barrier trials will give the champion trainer a significant pointer to the upcoming spring carnival.

Mitch Cohen
5 min read
July 22, 2024 - 6:00AM
Ranvet Stakes winner Via Sistina will return to the trials on Tuesday.
Ranvet Stakes winner Via Sistina will return to the trials on Tuesday.

Chris Waller’s Saturday treble was just an appetiser for the galaxy of stars he will unleash on home turf on Tuesday when Via Sistina, Fangirl, Zougotcha, Joliestar and Riff Rocket ramp up their spring campaigns.

Waller had a day out on home turf with victories for Llanddwyn, Kapakiri and Robusto at the final Rosehill Gardens meeting of the season, however, the Western Sydney racecourse will be the centre of attention on a massive morning of trials this week.

Ranvet Stakes winner Via Sistina is being prepared for her second Australian campaign and will step out in a 1000m heat alongside stablemate Francesco Guardi.

Fangirl, on the comeback trail after suffering a serious leg wound following the Verry Elleegant Stakes, is one of the headliners in a 900m heat that also finishes gun mares Zougotcha, Hinged and Atishu.

Dual Derby victor Riff Rocket and brilliant filly Joliestar are joined by Buckaroo in another 900m heat.

Waller has been pleased with how his team of spring heavyweights have been progressing.

“They’ve all come back well, there is nothing to separate them,” Waller said.

“They galloped on Saturday morning and all their riders were very positive. Everything trialling on Tuesday is the same, they are still a month away from racing so respect that and don’t expect them to come out and win their trials because they are 28 days off race fitness.

“I couldn’t be happier with all of them.”

Fangirl won last year’s Winx Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images
Fangirl won last year’s Winx Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

The Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) is just over a month away and Waller plans to have a strong hand in the $1 million feature that he has won seven times already.

Last year’s winner Fangirl is a $3.50 favourite to win the race again from Via Sistina ($4.50) with several of Waller’s other spring stars prominent in betting for the feature.

Waller isn’t keen for all of his big guns to clash in the first Group 1 of the season with the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) a week later at Caufield also an option.

Fellow Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker will also have a keen eye on Tuesday’s trials, particularly on Group 3-winning sprinter Caballus.

Caballus is in the same 900m heat as Joliestar and Riff Rocket.

“Caballus is going great, I am really happy with him,” Baker said.

“He is up and going very well and we will have a bit of think where we go with him, with the Concorde Stakes or the Moir Stakes which is a little bit away.”

FIVE TO FOLLOW

MERGEILA (race 1)

It was hard to make up ground with Mayfair allowed to control the opener but Chris Waller’s filly finished off with the fastest final furlong of the race. It was a solid debut third behind two horses with race experience.

LONHRO’S QUEEN (race 2)

Cameron Crockett has a nice filly on his hands with this daughter of Lonhro, who chalked up her third win in seven starts when working home strongly from back in the pack. She’s eligible for another Highway and will take beating.

IMPOSANT (race 4)

The Kris Lees-trained galloper looked to have plenty to offer when she was chopped out as Exceed Perfection shifted out in the straight. With more luck next start, she can bounce back.

AGE OF SAIL (race 7)

It was a hard watch for favourite backers when this imported stayer was kept in a pocket by a brilliant James McDonald ride. This son of Frankel should have lost no admirers in defeat and looks destined for bigger things in the spring.

LORD OF BISCAY (race 10)

This four-year-old was doing his best work late behind the flying Iron Man in the final event on the card. It was the Kris Lees-trained import’s first Australian start and his European form indicates he will get better over further.

STEWARDS SAY

Zarizatycoon (race 2): Sustained minor abrasions to the right hock in the float but was passed fit to start. Post-race the previously unbeaten gelding was found to have bled and is now banned from racing for three months.

Influential (race 4): Jockey Tommy Berry voiced his concern about a respiratory noise the galloper made and he was withdrawn at the barriers. The stable will report the results of an endoscopic examination.

Imposant (race 4): Was checked and lost its rightful running when crowded by Exceed Perfection, whose jockey Zac Lloyd was suspended for careless riding.

Able Willie (race 10): A post-race veterinary examination found the gelding to be 3/5 lame in the off-hind leg and he will require clearance before racing again.

Rain Lord (race 10): When placed under pressure, the gelding gave no response and faltered passing the 200m. He was eased out of the race and was found to be lame in the off-hind leg post-race.

CRUNCH TIME

Lisztomania (race 2): While the winner Lonhro’s Queen has more upset, this galloper was just as good in the Highway and ran a superior final 600m to the winner. He came home in 34.35 seconds but the wider run took a toll.

Jedibeel (race 7): Show he is a sprinter on the rise with a slashing performance to surge home in the slickest last 600m of the meeting in 33.56 seconds. His 10.93 split between the 400m and 200m put paid to his rivals.

More Secrets (race 8): Ran out of time to reel in Jojo Was A Man in the feature despite rattling home from third last in a competitive 34.20 seconds for the last 600m. It included an 11.15 split between the 400m and 200m.

Iron Man (race 10): Sat in the three-wide line coming for home before turning on the gas in the run to the line to clock 11.05 and 11.71 seconds for his final to furlongs. It was a strong win.

TRACK TALK

“I had a sneaky idea where my old mate was.” James McDonald after keeping Nash Rawiller in a pocket.

“You just have to keep working hard and in the last month or so, the results have started to kick in.” Trainer John Thompson.

“I think we can try to mark out some nice races for him in the spring.” Adrian Bott on Mayfair.

“I know Zac was desperate to win on that horse after so many second placings.” Annabel Neasham after Mickey’s Medal.

“He still does a lot wrong, he got into a skirmish at the top of the straight and wanted to lay in a bit but he is starting to put them away now.” Brad Widdup on Jedibeel.

YOU CAN BET ON IT

R7

Kapakiri touched $7.50 with TAB in the build up after starting race day at $9.50 before eventually settling at $8.50.

While Age Of Sail was heavily backed with multiple $4000 and $5000 bets at $2.60, Kapakiri held a modest cut with best bets of $1000 @ $8.50 and $8 and multiple $500 outlays at the same price.

R8

Chorlton Lane, Elson Boy and Danauster all attracted multiple $3,000 outlays leaving the likes of Robusto as a value option for TAB punters with a $12-$8.50 trim pre-race. There were a few $500 each-way bets at $8.50/$2.50 and win bets of $500 @ $9 on the winner.

NSW RACING SCHEDULE

Monday: Gunnedah, Wagga

Tuesday: Taree, Warren

Wednesday: Canterbury Park

Thursday: Wyong

Friday: Lismore, Canberra Acton

Saturday: Royal Randwick, Kembla Grange, Coonabarabran, Trangie

Sunday: Muswellbrook, Sapphire Coast

Originally published as Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Chris Waller to unleash Fangirl, Via Sistina and more at Tuesday’s barrier trials

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/mitch-cohens-blackbook-chris-waller-to-unleash-fangirl-via-sistina-and-more-at-tuesdays-barrier-trials/news-story/51c287b5ec3eff32364c726b6f558758