While Via Sistina may face stablemate Aelina in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington, Chris Waller’s Sydney brigade is equally compelling, headlined by several promising colts.
Chief among them is Wodeton, who delivered a strong return when a luckless second in the San Domenico Stakes. The Golden Slipper runner-up was denied clear running late, and Waller is hopeful he can turn near-misses into major wins. “As a two-year-old, (he raced) without much luck, so it was nice to see him come back like that,” Waller said. “We know he’s going to improve with a bit of distance.”
Stable newcomer Beiwacht also ran well in the San Domenico, finishing third after enduring a wide trip. This time he gets barrier four, prompting Waller to test his Group 1 credentials. “If he settles from a good draw, he could go there as well,” he said. “He’s a very nice horse. A professional horse. He’s a very good type and he is already a Group Two winner. He’s got a box left to tick and that’s a Group One.”
Hidden Achievement, second in the J J Atkins, resumes in The Run To The Rose but was hampered by barrier 16, while Sixties has been rerouted to the Ming Dynasty Quality. There, he’ll clash with unbeaten Autumn Boy, who impressed with victories at Canterbury and Eagle Farm. “He’s by The Autumn Sun and he got a mile easily, so it’s exciting,” Waller said. “We’d like to run him in the Golden Rose but Saturday will tell us more and then it would be nice to be running in a Caulfield Guineas.”