Chris Waller feels Counterattack is ready to come of age in Queensland this winter

CHRIS Waller has pinpointed Counterattack as the horse from his stable most likely to use this year’s Queensland winter carnival as a platform to spring stardom.

Chris Waller has tipped Counterattack to shine this winter. Picture: Jay Town.

CHRIS Waller has pinpointed Counterattack as the horse from his stable most likely to use this year’s Queensland winter carnival as a platform to spring stardom.

Every year Waller seems to unearth a new star in Queensland with Winx, Brazen Beau and Zoustar just a few who have used the Queensland winter as a platform to spring success in recent years.

Waller admits he will be light on with two-year-olds in Queensland this winter but feels Counterattack can use the carnival to go to a new level.

Waller insists immaturity has held the Redoute’s Choice colt back to date but he feels the three-year-old will come of age at his second Queensland winter carnival.

“Certain horses exceed your expectations and certain horses disappoint,” Waller said.

“One horse is Counter­attack and he was brought up here last year thinking he was the next big thing and he still hasn’t won that Group 1 yet.

“But Counterattack is definitely a horse to follow and I just think he was a bit immature last prep looking back on things.

“But he is a horse that hasn’t had luck and Queensland can bring horses luck.”

Counterattack was scrat­ched from last weekend’s BTC Cup and saved for this Saturday’s Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) which could well overshadow the Group 1 Doomben Cup as the most exciting race in Brisbane this weekend.

Stablemate Sir Bacchus will be among Counterattack’s opponents as will New Zealand Derby winner Rangipo, the Gold Coast Guineas first two placegetters Takedown and Sold For Song, last start stakes winner Rageese and the promising Spieth.

Perhaps the only piece of the puzzle missing from the three-year-old sprint is exciting filly Ghisoni, who is likely to be saved for either the Doomben 10,000 or Glen­logan Park Stakes the following week instead.

When asked whether Sir Bacchus or Counterattack was his best chance in the Fred Best at this early stage, Waller replied: “I think Counterattack is the class act.”

“He is as good as Japonisme and Japonisme beat him home in the Coolmore in the spring and nosed him out in their last meeting.

“But Counterattack was three wide and had no luck that day.

“Counterattack is a very good three-year-old and I think he is a genuine Stradbroke chance.”

That’s not to undersell Sir Bacchus, who has been aimed solely at this carnival and could not have been more ­impressive in his two victories in restricted grade in Sydney so far this campaign.

“Sir Bacchus is a good ­example of what we like to aim at the carnival and when he was showing form in the ­summer we put him away and forgot about the autumn carnival in Sydney and targeted Queensland.” Waller said.

“He is certainly one of the key target horses for sure.”

Waller will also be represented by Spiritjim, Lady Le Fay and potentially Junoob in the Doomben Cup.