Follow Files: Waller holds number one seed for VRC Derby
Flemington took centre stage last Saturday, as it hosted Turnbull Stakes Day, which is commonly referred to as “moving day” for all horses that expect to be contending late in the Victorian Spring Carnival. Outside of Melbourne, Rosehill hosted its Hill Stakes Day with three Group races on the card, while Eagle Farm, Murray Bridge and Kalgoorlie each hosted nice cards to compliment the main two. In this week’s edition of the Follow Files, we have found three runners that performed well enough to suggest that they are close to another win at their next start.
Flemington
Rail position: +9m entire circuit
Race 3: Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) | Time: 1:50.05
- Horse to follow: Riff Rocket (1st)
With the Group 1 VRC Derby under a month away, we may have found the top seed for this year. The Chris Waller-trained Riff Rocket recorded one of the best wins on the Flemington program in the Super Impose Stakes, where he ran away for his rivals to win by a massive 5.5 lengths over 1800m. James McDonald settled the son of American Pharoah behind the speed and had to wait for a gap to appear in between runners at the 400m mark, but once he found the gap, Riff Rocket exploded with a burst of acceleration to put the race to bed by the 200m mark.
When to bet: After such a dominant performance at Flemington, it would be hard for Waller and his team to turn down the opportunity to go the VRC Derby in four weeks’ time. Riff Rocket has been heavily backed into +280 for the Derby, and that quote will only shorten once the stable confirms their intentions.
Race 10: Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) | Time: 1:22.95
- Horse to follow: Von Hauke (5th)
The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke attempted Listed grade for the first time last weekend, and even though he finished fifth – beaten 3.3 lengths – the run was massive from the back of the field. This son of Savabeel ran home in the fastest 1200m sectional for the entire meeting, and recorded the fastest 1000m, 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m splits of any runner in the Paris Lane Stakes. Jye McNeil tried to go for a run in between horses but the gap closed, so he had to switch tracks and go to the outside, where this gelding ran home strong to finish an unlucky fifth place.
When to bet: Von Hauke has shown Brown that he can mix it with older horses at Listed level, so if they choose to drop back to 3YO grade at his next start, we could see this gelding run in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield on October 21.
Rosehill
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 8: Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) | Time: 1:55.88
- Horse to follow: No Compromise (5th)
After drawing a horrible barrier (14), No Compromise from the Chris Waller yard was huge from the back of the field, where he flew home in the final 300m to finish fifth – beaten by just over two lengths. As a Group 1 winner, this son of Pins finds it hard to get into races without lumping a huge weight, so he must compete at Group 1 and Group 2 level. However, his run over 1900m in the Hill Stakes showed that he is at peak fitness and a step up to 2000m will be ideal next start.
When to bet: With limited options in Sydney, we expect to see No Compromise go down to Melbourne and take on some of the distance races at Caulfield or Flemington. Wherever he lines up next over 2000m, we will backing him with a lot of confidence.