Mile Specialists Rate Best In G1: Waller
- Wednesday, 25 February 2015 07:50
Chris Waller will rely on a trio of specialist milers in a bid to win a record fifth consecutive Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm.
Although the premier trainer will saddle up eight runners in the first Group One race of the Sydney autumn carnival, Waller has already narrowed it down to Boban, He's Your Man and Weary as his best chances.
"They're the three specialist milers, the others are all heading down other paths over further," Waller said.
Waller has dominated the Warwick Farm feature winning with Danleigh in 2011 before Shoot Out went back-to-back.
Boban was successful last year and appeals to Waller as the big improver from his stable.
The horse has followed the same race template as last autumn when he peaked third-up and he is unbeaten in two starts at Warwick Farm.
"He's a little bit below his best form but he won it last year and there's a sense of timing about it again this year," Waller said.
He also expects Epsom Handicap winner He's Your Man to improve sharply after his fitness gave out when he finished sixth in the Apollo Stakes.
However, the horse will have to overcome the outside barrier.
"That makes it very hard," Waller said.
A field of 15 was paid up for the Chipping Norton on Wednesday with Waller also accepting with Foreteller, Hawkspur, Junoob, Who Shot Thebarman and Opinion.
He opted not to run Beaten Up who instead heads to Caulfield for the Peter Young Stakes and a clash with Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist.
John O'Shea reported Contributer had improved since his first-up win in the Apollo Stakes and he has opened a $3 favourite for the Chipping Norton, ahead of Lucia Valentina at $5.50.
The only other mare in the race, Silent Achiever, is a $9.50 chance and jockey Kerrin McEvoy hasn't ruled out settling her more forward from a good draw.
"Possibly. If that's where she's happy to settle, it would be nice to be in front of a few, especially at Warwick Farm, McEvoy said.
