Small team for Waller at Sandown
For premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller the Melbourne spring carnival is winding down as he starts planning for the autumn.
But Waller will still have a small team at Sandown on Saturday headlined by Who Shot Thebarman who is aiming for back-to-back wins in the Zipping Classic.
Who Shot Thebarman won last year’s 2400m weight-for-age contest after finishing 11th behind Prince Of Penzance in the Melbourne Cup.
Outside of the placegetters in this year’s Melbourne Cup, Who Shot Thebarman was the run of the race, finishing fifth behind Almandin who will also be nominated for the Zipping Classic.
“From his barrier in the Cup and from where he was on the turn he was super,” Waller said.
Importantly Who Shot Thebarman pulled up in excellent order and Waller had no hesitation declaring him a runner at Sandown.
Grand Marshal, Waller’s other Cup runner also pulled-up well but is going for a spell.
Waller said the stayer would not run in the Sandown Cup, a race he finished third in last year.
“He had too much weight last year and he’ll probably have even more this year,” Waller said.
“He’ll have another attempt at the Sydney Cup next year.
“He’ll get a more forgiving track in that race and that’s his big asset.
“A soft track or worse, he loves it.”
Murphy’s Delight will represent Waller in the 3200m Cup after running sixth over 2800m on Melbourne Cup day.
Waller will also be represented by Invincibella in the Twilight Glow Stakes and Amovatio in the Sandown Stakes.
Meanwhile Waller is assembling a small team for the Perth summer carnival.
He said Mackintosh and Good Project are definite travellers with Vanbrugh likely to join them.
“Mackintosh and Good Project will go over to run in the Railway and then back up into the Kingston Town where they will be joined by Vanbrugh,” Waller said.
The $1 million Railway Stakes will be run on November 19 with the $1 million Kingston Town Classic two weeks later.
Good Project won the Railway Stakes last year.