Chris Waller targets 11th Group 1 of the season with Democracy Manifest in the Northerly Stakes

After a luckless run in the Railway Stakes, Chris Waller is hoping Democracy Manifest has a better time of it in the final Group 1 of 2024 next weekend. 

Democracy Manifest is one of the leading contenders for the Northerly Stakes. Picture: Jason McCawley-Getty Images

Trainer Chris Waller says Democracy Manifest is “thriving” in the west and just needs a slice of luck to continue his stable’s amazing start to the season in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Waller already has a remarkable 10 majors this season with three in Sydney and seven in Melbourne throughout the Spring Carnival.

The $1.5 million Northerly Stakes (1800m) is the final Group 1 in Australia in 2024.

Waller won his first and only Northerly Stakes, then known as the Kingston Town Classic, a decade ago with Moriarty.

Democracy Manifest is a $6 equal second elect to win this year’s race after racing without luck in the Railway Stakes at Ascot last time out.

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The $1.5M G1 Swan Draught Railway Stakes was won by Port Lockroy. Congratulations to trainers Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald, jockey Clint Johnston-Porter and winning owners. pic.twitter.com/bR4bo1BssB

— Racing WA Thoroughbred (@RacingWA_Tbreds) November 23, 2024

The son of Flying Artie was forced to be ridden for luck from a testing wide draw and never got any clear room in the straight, finishing 14th.

“It just happens sometimes,” Waller said.

“The draw, we opted to go back and ride for luck and tried to follow James (McDonald) on Light Infantry Man and he didn’t get much luck either.

“Where ever we went it just didn’t work out but rather than worry about it, Mark Zahra is going to ride him again for us.

“He ran really well in the 1800m here in the carnival during the spring so we are confident he will bounce back but we would love to see him get a better draw to take the luck out it.”

Democracy Manifest got home strongly for third in the Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m), won by stablemate Lindermann, during the Sydney spring.

He also ran fourth in last year’s Five Diamonds in his only other run over the 1800m trip.

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Democracy Manifest was luckless last start in the Railway Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Democracy Manifest arrived in Perth a little more than a week before the Railway Stakes on November 23 and has relished life over in Western Australia.

“He is thriving over there,” Waller said.

“The warm weather and going to the beach every few days, he has really settled in well.”

Democracy Manifest won’t have to face off against Railway Stakes winner Port Lockroy again as the four-year-old has returned to Sydney to target Saturday week’s $2 million The Ingham at Royal Randwick.

Ciaron Maher’s Light Infantry Man and Socks Nation remain in Perth.

Hill Stakes winner Attrition is the equal $5 favourite for the Northerly Stakes with Storyville.

Originally published as Chris Waller targets 11th Group 1 of the season with Democracy Manifest in the Northerly Stakes