Racing Confidential: Chris Waller meets champion American trainer Bob Baffert

Chris Waller continued his overseas “working holiday” when he caught up with champion American trainer Bob Baffert at Santa Anita trackwork during the week.

Chris Waller had the “privilege” of meeting champion US trainer Bob Baffert on his overseas holiday.

Hall of Famer Chris Waller continued his overseas “working holiday” when he caught up with champion American trainer Bob Baffert at Santa Anita trackwork during the week.

Waller wrote on social media it was a “huge privilege” to watch Baffert go about his business at the early morning gallops.

“Seeing him at work first hand and listening to him makes me realise why he is such a legend and inspires so many,’’ Waller said.

Waller posted a photo of Santa Anita trackwork and also a plaque at Baffert’s stables with the self-explanatory title of “Champions” which lists the trainer’s best American horses.

They include US triple crown winners American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018), plus the likes of Arrogate, Real Quiet and Silver Charm.

Arrogate was a former dual Longines World’s Best Racehorse award winner and beat Waller’s great mare Winx for the title in 2018.

It was a huge privilege to hang out with @BobBaffert at @santaanitapark this morning. Seeing him at work first hand and listening to him makes me realise why he is a such legend and inspires so many. pic.twitter.com/rCH9LfRGeM

— Chris Waller Racing (@cwallerracing) July 10, 2024

NASH STILL IN TITLE HUNT

Nash Rawiller might have gone winless at the Warwick Farm midweeks but remains very much in contention for the Sydney jockeys premiership.

With leader James McDonald (83 wins) sidelined due to illness, Rawiller (77 wins) has eight rides at Royal Randwick on Saturday to continue his late season title surge.

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Rawiller’s rides include favourites Cranky Harry (race 3), Testator Silens (race 8) and Bear On The Loose (race 9).

There are six city meetings remaining in the 2023-24 season with McDonald not expected back in the saddle until next Wednesday’s Kensington meeting (July 17) at the earliest.

MAHER TO MAKE MAY CALL

Elsie May, the mare who took trainer Ciaron Maher’s stable earnings for the season over the magical $50 million prizemoney barrier with her Warwick Farm win midweek, could back-up at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Maher has Elsie May entered for the James Squire Handicap. She earned her 2kg penalty for Wednesday’s win and will have to shoulder 57.5kg at Randwick.

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Meanwhile, Maher is sending the superbly-bred two-year-old Just Like Gaby to the races for the first time at Caulfield.

Just Like Gaby, an $800,000 Magic Millions Yearling Sale graduate by Yulong’s boom first season sire Pierata, is the first foal out of Maher’s former outstanding sprinter, Loving Gaby, a two-time Group 1 winner of the Manikato Stakes and William Reid Stakes.

Elsie May relishes stepping out to 2100m under @SchofieldChad and gets the nose down in the nick of time 📸

That's a race-to-race double for @cmaherracing ✅✅ pic.twitter.com/EYL4MGTSQ1

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 10, 2024

JEANS HAVE LONG LIFE

My Blue Jeans, the rising 10-year-old grey gelding from the Danny Williams stable, will not go down in the annals of the all-time greats but you have to admire his toughness, durability and longevity.

At Moruya on Friday, My Blue Jeans is lining up in a Benchmark 58 race over 1660m, the 115th start in a race career that began nearly seven years ago.

My Blue Jeans remains a fierce competitor and scored his 10th career win at Moruya last start.

He has also been runner-up nine times and a third placegetter in 23 races, earning more than $370,000 for his owners.

Although My Blue Jeans’s grey coat is almost white these days, Williams said the veteran galloper is still racing with “unstoppable zest”.

Originally published as Racing Confidential: Chris Waller meets champion American trainer Bob Baffert