Chris Waller boasts nominations from three elite horses for this Saturday’s $300,000 Expressway Stakes at Randwick, although a full clash among them appears improbable.
Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah feature in the 10 acceptors for the 1200m Group 2, a key prep for Group 1 assignments second-up, as Waller mulls over his lineup.
“We have got three ace cards for the Expressway, including Angel Capital and Joliestar, so I don’t want to run all three,” Waller said.
“I want to try to hold one back. I don’t know which one, possibly Lady Shenandoah.
“She could run in the mares’ race, the Triscay (Stakes), or run the following week in the Millie Fox.”
Waller will likely commit three to the Expressway Stakes, with Coolmore Classic hopeful Lazzura, the four-year-old, ready to launch her season.
“She’s had a couple of Group One placings and hasn’t had a lot of luck with a couple of them. She jarred up a bit in Melbourne with the firm tracks in the spring,” Waller said.
Lady Shenandoah and Lazzura, nominated among 13 for the $250,000 Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m), showcased themselves last Saturday at Randwick with 1000m gallops in exhibition mode.
Trinity College, Lindermann, Aeliana and Autumn Glow also completed those trials, beneficial according to Waller for their ongoing fitness.
“The day out, the hot weather, the trip home, they’ve been away from the freed bin for six hours. It’s all part of tightening them up,” Waller said.
“It just saves the hard workouts and it saves getting behind. It’s easier to be well ahead. You just can’t play catch up with horses, so being well prepared and exhibitions gallops show everything has gone to plan and there have been no setbacks.
“If I don’t give them an exhibition gallop, it’s either a rushed prep or I just didn’t have time to do it how I wanted to do it.
“It gives them a chance to have a bit of a sweat, break the skin. Then next week they’ll come back and they’ll be picture perfect.”
The $300,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) has Waller’s nine entries including Autumn Glow, Aeliana, Lindermann and Trinity College, which could draw Antino, Ceolwulf and Stefi Magnetica.
Head to the betting markets for the race to secure value on Expressway Stakes favourites.
The post Chris Waller weighing up Expressway Stakes team first appeared on Just Horse Racing.