Trainer Chris Waller has his sights set on the Group 1 Flight Stakes for the beautifully bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has a proven track record as a spring carnival launching pad.
Waller, generally hesitant to start his horses from wide barriers, acknowledged that his decision to run the three-year-old from the widest draw in Wednesday’s Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm was indicative of the stable’s high opinion of her capabilities.
“It did, and also the way we rode her,” Waller said. “She was a little bit slow out the other day, and we didn’t want to paint her as a horse who has to get back. I said to James (McDonald) I’d leave it to him to see how she jumped and teach her something today.”
James McDonald rode Sing Your Song ($2.60 favourite) assertively, positioning her just off the speed and encouraging her to the lead in the straight. She responded with a determined run to hold off Waiheke Rose ($2.90) by a neck, with the winner’s stablemate Wonka ($12) a further long neck away in third.
A full sister to Group 2 victor Matias, Sing Your Song is currently considered a $11 chance for the Flight Stakes (1600m) on October 3rd, and Waller confirmed this is the race he is keen to target.
“I was hoping she could be a Flight Stakes filly,” he commented. “Obviously there is still a long way to go. We’ve got a little bit of time now to back off and regroup and time our run. I think she’ll be a better horse chasing eventually, but today will just wake her up a little bit.”
Remarkably, the list of previous winners of Wednesday’s race includes the Spring Champion Stakes victors Attica (2025) and El Castello (2024), as well as multiple Group 1 winner Ceolwulf (2023) over the past three years.
This impressive honour roll does not surprise Waller, who suggests that midweek three-year-old races contested just before the main carnival often serve as perfect stepping stones to more significant races.
“This time of the year there are just some good horses racing,” Waller said. “The horses racing now that have had one or two runs, they’ve been looked after at two and they’re just starting to emerge at the right time. Anything that can win midweek at the moment is worth following.”
Sing Your Song’s victory provided Waller with a double for the day, with Godolphin filly Sequinned ($4) having won the opening race. For those keen to get involved, explore the comprehensive racing odds available at sports betting platforms.