Chris Waller has no second thoughts about bypassing the $6 million Cox Plate with his in-form galloper Lindermann, confident that keeping him in Sydney was the right decision. Instead, the consistent six-year-old will aim to extend his winning streak in the $750,000 Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick this Saturday.
Lindermann heads into the race off a dominant campaign that includes victory in the $2 million Hill Stakes (1900m), a runner-up finish to Fangirl in the 7 Stakes (1600m), and success earlier in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) over Sir Delius. His spring turnaround has seen him rediscover the front-running brilliance that once made him one of Waller’s brightest prospects.
Although the Cox Plate field has been weakened by Globe’s scratching, Waller said the decision to remain in Sydney was strategic. “We chose to stick to Sydney, leave the Cox Plate alone and get him back on top,” Waller said. “We’ll let him think he’s the top dog and we can have a good look in the autumn and try and measure up in Ranvets and Queen Elizabeths if we desire. He’s won a Hill Stakes worth good money, he’s been running behind the right horses when he hasn’t been winning and he’s ready to go Saturday.”
Between last year’s Craven Plate and his Chelmsford Stakes win last month, Lindermann had gone nine starts without a victory. However, he remained ultra-competitive, finishing in the placings on several occasions, including strong Group 1 runs behind Via Sistina in both the Verry Elleegant Stakes and Ranvet Stakes.
Now thriving again, the Rosehill Guineas winner has already collected $1.52 million in prizemoney this preparation, lifting his career earnings to $3.63 million. The Craven Plate winner’s cheque of $430,000 presents another lucrative opportunity for Waller’s rejuvenated runner.
Nash Rawiller will once again take the reins aboard the $1.55 favourite, jumping from gate two in a field reduced to seven after the scratching of Pocketing. A second-straight win would underline Lindermann’s resurgence and stamp him as one of Sydney’s leading middle-distance performers heading into the autumn.
Punters can find the latest Craven Plate markets and spring carnival odds via Australia’s top betting sites.
