Spring on the agenda for Tsaritsa following Guineas win
SPRING racing beckons for a Chris Waller-trained filly which has all the makings of a future top-liner. Tsaritsa was a stylish winner of the 2016 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm on Saturday and already the comparisons to Winx have been made.
With champion international jockey Joao Moreira in the saddle, Tsaritsa was too good for its rivals and now a run during the Melbourne spring carnival is on the horizon.
“Realistically, I think she could have a very bright spring and we could set her for a race like the Myer Classic,” Waller said.
“I think she has shown today (Saturday) she can compete at a high level.”
The Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara on June 25 is another option for Waller and he’s putting some serious thought about keeping Tsaritsa in Queensland.
“It is always tempting to go on one more (race) to the Tatts’ Tiara and we will give it some serious thought,” Waller said.
Moreira only had good things to say about the filly which drifted in the market from $2.80 to $3.80 with Sportsbet.com.au.
“There was no magic there (referring to his nickname ‘Magic Man’), I was simply on the best horse,” Moreira said.
“She has a great turn-of-foot and her finish was amazing.
“I could always feel she was travelling nicely underneath me.”
Tsaritsa has now won five from its seven race-day starts, but was desperately unlucky in its two defeats. Much like stablemate and 2015 Cox Plate champion Winx, this filly could have gone through this campaign undefeated.
“She might not have won all of her early starts, but if you go through her record she has been extremely unlucky,” Waller said.
“She could easily be seven from seven.”
The Eagle Farm track copped some criticism late in the day, which was to be expected, but Waller was full of praise about how it played.
“It was a well-timed run from Joao and I think today is a credit to the way the new Eagle Farm track is playing,” Waller added.
“It just shows if you put money into getting things right for the horses and put money into the facilities, the rest of it takes care of itself.”