Trainer Chris Waller has black type goal for new staying prospect Aramco after his Randwick win

After an unlucky fifth at his stable debut, the Chris Waller-trained Aramco bounced back with a handy in at Randwick.

Sam Clipperton and Aramco score at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Champion trainer Chris Waller concedes promising Aramco is a “work in progress” after his exciting but erratic win at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Aramco had taken control of the race in the straight but then began to run about under pressure before winning the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1800m).

Waller, who only returned from an overseas family holiday on Friday, said Aramco was a “bit wayward in the straight.”

“Aramco hasn’t been in Sydney that long, he’s a quirky horse but with a lot of ability,’’ Waller said.

“He came to us (from Melbourne) in good form and I think we can win a Listed race with him.’’

Aramco got the wobbles in the straight but proved too good! @cwallerracing gets on the board at Randwick ✅ pic.twitter.com/tDAT1JIMOw

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

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Aramco ($4.20), ridden by Sam Clipperton, regained his focus in time to ward off the challenge of Super Strike ($61) and score by a half-length with Unanimous ($14) two lengths away third.

Favourite Bear On The Loose was backed into $1.95 but was trapped three-wide without cover for most of the race and understandably could not finish his race off strongly and ran fourth, beaten about four lengths.

Bear On The Loose had excuses for his defeat, just as Aramco had when making his debut for the Waller stable at Rosehill two weeks ago, beaten only a length into fifth behind Highlights.

But the increase in race distance to 1800m suited Aramco who will definitely get out over further, too.

Aramco is by Sea The Moon, the former champion German three-year-old who won the 2014 German Derby, and is also stoutly bred on his dam’s side giving Waller confidence the gelding will get out over further.

“His first-up run was good, he was a bit unlucky, and he has been improved by the step up in distance today,’’ Waller said.

Emirate makes it two from two and wins at Rosehill!@aus_turf_club@[e-mail]/EkquEeK8GG

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 1, 2024

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“I feel 2000m will be no problems for this horse.’’

Clipperton said Aramco began really well but he “didn’t want to get into an arm wrestle” for the early lead.

“The two speed horses kept going and although Aramco didn’t quite switch off, he won well,’’ Clipperton said.

Aramco is a new recruit for the Waller stable and is raced in the same ownership group as the trainer’s unbeaten rising three-year-old colt, Emirate.

“We feel Emirate could be a Golden Rose-type of colt,’’ Waller said.

The Hall of Fame trainer said most of the stable’s main spring carnival contenders are due to barrier trial later this month.

“The good horses are still a few weeks away,’’ Waller said.

“We did have Fangirl and Via Sistina and some of the others did some gallops on the course proper this morning, just a breeze up in the straight.

“They should be ready to barrier trial at the end of this month.’’

Originally published as Trainer Chris Waller has black type goal for new staying prospect Aramco after his Randwick win