Waller ready to make a statement in Randwick Guineas

Press Statement

AS Winx continues to confirm her standing as Australia’s best horse, her stablemate Press Statement is ready to stake his claim as the best three-year-old colt.

Cox Plate winner Winx added the Chipping Norton Stakes to her impressive record on Saturday while a week later Press Statement has the Randwick Guineas in his sights.

He returned on February 20 with a comfortable win in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and steps up to 1600m on Saturday, the distance of his group 1 wins in the Caulfield Guineas and J J Atkins.

“He has come on well since the Hobartville,” trainer Chris Waller said.

“He is 10 kilos heavier than he was in the spring and is more mature.”

Press Statement is already assured of a career at Vinery Stud and can enhance his value with another group 1 win.

Waller said Spring Champion Stakes winner Vanbrugh was not certain to oppose Press Statement at Randwick.

“He is still a chance to go to Melbourne for the Australian Guineas on the same day,” he said.

“Torgersen heads to Melbourne.”

Torgersen is the winner of three restricted races and finished eighth, five lengths behind Press Statement in the Hobartville.

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Waller will have Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), the other group 1 race on Saturday’s program.

As the trainer has done with Winx and Press Statement in the past few weeks, he took Kermadec to Randwick a week ahead of his first-up assignment for a day out and a gallop around the course.

“He runs in the Canterbury Stakes en route to the George Ryder,” Waller said.

“It may be a bit short for him but he needs to come back somewhere and he is ready to race.”

Another stablemate, Catkins, will be assessed after a barrier trial on Monday to decide whether she is also ready to race or if it is time for retirement.

The mare ran a disappointing race in the Millie Fox Stakes and Waller said the Ingham family was prepared to end her career if she showed her heart was no longer in racing.

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