Gold Coast meeting can expect a bit of French flair from Chris Waller

CHRIS Waller starts his Queensland carnival campaign with a team of runners at the Gold Coast on Saturday, which may ­include the Australian debut of French Group 1 winner Spiritjim.

Sir Bacchus is expected to figure prominently during the Queensland winter carnival. Picture: Simon Bullard

CHRIS Waller starts his Queensland carnival campaign with a team of runners at the Gold Coast on Saturday, which may ­include the Australian debut of French Group 1 winner Spiritjim.

Waller said he could have “quite a few” runners in the Hollindale Stakes and he was yet to finalise his team.

Spiritjim, who has not raced since October, is likely to be tested as a possible Doomben Cup horse in the Hollindale.

The French-bred son of Galileo ran second in a Randwick barrier trial on April 22.

He has won seven from 18 in ­Europe, highlighted by the Group 1 Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud (2400m) in June 2014. That completed a hat-trick of victories ­following Group 3 success at Longchamp and a Group 2 win at Chantilly, all over the same trip.

His best effort this season was a second in the Group 2 Prix Foy (2400m) in September.

Waller is playing down his chances of again being the dominant force in Brisbane as he has been for the past three seasons.

“We won’t have a huge team, but will have enough runners to have a good representation in the main races,” he said.

Waller’s awesome first-up winner Sir Bacchus has been earmarked for a Queensland trip.

Sir Bacchus and Jason Collett after their most recent victory. Picture: Simon Bullard

“It was a very good win first-up. He will race this Saturday, but I haven’t decided where yet. It could be in the Gold Coast Guineas, or I might keep him here (in Sydney) for another start,” he said.

The past three years, Waller has had Zoustar, Brazen Beau and Press Statement emerge in the Brisbane juvenile features to become multi-­million dollar stallion prospects.

Japonisme, Counter­attack and Delectation are the three horses the stable has earmarked for the Group 1 sprint features over the carnival.

David Vandyke hopes to continue his flying Queensland start when Sir John Hawkwood runs in the Hollindale on Saturday.

“The Hollindale will tell us whether he’s a Doomben Cup horse or more suited to the handicap in the Brisbane Cup,” Vandyke said.

Originally published as Gold Coast meeting can expect a bit of French flair from Chris Waller