Chris Waller seeking season Group 1 record with Movin Out in Australasian Oaks

Chris Waller was the leading Group 1 trainer during the Sydney autumn carnival and he has another record in his sights this weekend.

Chris Waller won seven Group 1s during the Sydney autumn carnival to move to 18 for the season. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Champion trainer Chris Waller could set a new all-time record for most Group 1 wins in a season if Movin Out can claim the $1m Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Movin Out vaulted to the top of TAB betting for the Oaks at $4 after looping around the field and racing away for an impressive win in last Saturday’s Mornington Guineas.

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Waller is chasing his 19th Group 1 win of the 2024-25 season, breaking the record he first set in 2018-19 of 18 majors.

The Hall of Fame trainer prepared seven Group 1 winners during the Sydney autumn carnival to take his tally of big-race wins to 18 this season culminating with champion mare Via Sistina’s outstanding effort in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick earlier this month.

Waller and jockey James McDonald dominated the Sydney autumn, setting the tone at the start of the carnival when they combined for a Group 1 double from Via Sistina (Verry Elleegant Stakes) and Lady Shenandoah (Surround Stakes) at Royal Randwick on March 1.

McDonald then combined with Waller to win another five majors with Via Sistina (Ranvet Stakes, Queen Elizabeth Stakes), Lady Shenandoah (Coolmore Classic) and Fangirl (Queen of the Turf Stakes).

Australian Derby winner Aeliana was among Chris Waller’s autumn carnival Group 1 successes, Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Sydney’s premier jockey won a seventh Group 1 on the James Cummings-trained Broadsiding (Rosehill Guineas).

Waller also prepared talented three-year-old filly Aeliana to win the ATC Australian Derby.

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Victorian trainer Matt Laurie was second to Waller as the most successful trainer during the Sydney carnival with three Group 1 wins from Treasurethe Moment (Vinery Stud Stakes, ATC Australian Oaks) and Vinrock (ATC Inglis Sires).

Ciaron Maher won two majors with Gringotts (George Ryder Stakes) and Jimmysstar (All Aged Stakes), trainers Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes also won a brace of Group 1 races from Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes) and Nepotism (Champagne Stakes), and Bjorn Baker claimed the coveted Doncaster Mile-Sydney Cup double with Stefi Magnetica and Arapaho respectively.

McDonald was the leading rider during the carnival but Melbourne’s Damian Lane had a memorable Sydney autumn with four majors on Marhoona (Golden Slipper), Aeliana (ATC Australian Derby) and Treasurethe Moment (Vinery Stud Stakes, ATC Australian Oaks).

Matt Laurie claimed three Group 1 wins during the Sydney carnival. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

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Tyler Schiller continued his emergence as one of Sydney’s leading jockeys with his Group 1 double for Team Hawkes on Briasa and Nepotism.

Via Sistina was the only horse to win three Sydney autumn carnival Group 1 races with her hat-trick of majors in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Outstanding three-year-old fillies Lady Shenandoah (Surround Stakes, Coolmore Classic) and Treasurethe Moment (Vinery Stud Stakes, ATC Australian Oaks) were the only other multiple major race winners.

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SYDNEY AUTUMN CARNIVAL – GROUP 1 WINNERS

TRAINERS

Chris Waller – 7

Matt Laurie – 3

Bjorn Baker – 2

Ciaron Maher – 2

Team Hawkes – 2

JOCKEYS

James McDonald – 7

Damian Lane – 4

Tyler Schiller – 2

HORSES

Via Sistina – 3

Lady Shenandoah – 2

Treasurethe Moment – 2

Originally published as Chris Waller seeking season Group 1 record with Movin Out in Australasian Oaks