With entries for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate closing on Tuesday, the Spring Carnival picture is set to become clearer, but trainer Chris Waller has tempered expectations for one of the leading fancies.
Waller has expressed doubts over sending Aeliana to the Caulfield Cup, despite her dominant win in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) in April that propelled her to the top of early markets.
“I don’t normally push our four-year-old fillies, as I call them, to a Caulfield Cup,” Waller said. “She will be nominated but it would be unlikely.”
Only four fillies from Waller’s stable have contested the Caulfield Cup as four-year-olds: Charms Star, Toffee Tongue, Youngstar and Royal Descent, with none finishing better than fifth. Charms Star was last in 2021, Toffee Tongue was 14th in 2020, Youngstar finished seventh in 2018, and Royal Descent ran fifth in 2013.
Waller has won the race twice, with Verry Elleegant in 2020 and Durston in 2022. Nonetheless, Aeliana remains the $8 favourite for the Caulfield Cup and is a $11 shot for the Cox Plate a week later.
Stablemate Via Sistina heads Cox Plate betting and is expected to be part of Waller’s group of nominees, which may also include Lady Shenandoah, Buckaroo and Fangirl.
Heavy rain in Sydney has delayed trials scheduled for Tuesday, with Randwick’s session moved to Thursday. Via Sistina and Fangirl are in the first trial, Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah in the second, while other Waller runners including Autumn Glow and Wodeton are also listed.
Ciaron Maher’s strong team is also expected to appear, including Jimmysstar, Another Wil, Gringotts, Light Infantry Man and Zardozi. Big names such as Vauban, Linebacker and Stefi Magnetica are also set to feature in the lead-up to the spring riches.