Militarize set for Theo Marks Stakes return
Chris Waller is taking a strategic approach to manage his star three-year-olds, Shinzo and Militarize, who are owned by competing colts syndicates, Coolmore and Newgate Farm, respectively.
He’s contemplating the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) as a potential comeback race for Militarize, a Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) champion, with his ultimate target being the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Waller explained, “I believe the Theo Marks at 1300 metres might suit him a bit better than a 1200-metre race with a heavy weight.”
He added, “[The Caulfield Guineas] is the race. He’ll give them a shock in the Golden Rose, but once he gets to that Caulfield Guineas, it will be game on.”
Militarize recently had an exhibition gallop alongside Golden Slipper winner Shinzo at Randwick.
Chris Waller expressed satisfaction with their performance, saying, “I was particularly happy to see how they coped with the day. That was the whole idea of the exercise, to make sure they’re ready for game day and still cool, calm and collected,” he said.
Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride Militarize in Saturday’s Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes.