Godolphin’s star Beiwacht stamped authority on Chris Waller’s peerless Sydney autumn carnival exploits with a bold, pace-setting conquest of a stellar cast in Saturday’s Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick, the Hall of Fame trainer’s exclamation point.
Waller claimed the exacta in the autumn’s closing Sydney Group 1 as Lazzura doggedly followed her fellow stable runner Beiwacht.
Earlier on the program, Waller swept the trifecta in the companion Group 1, the Champagne Stakes, with Fireball prevailing over Campione D’Italia and Diameter.
The autumn’s eight-week Sydney Group 1 marathon finishes with the All Aged Stakes, Waller having supplied a Group 1 winner per weekend – unparalleled prowess.
Of Sydney’s 22 autumn Group 1s, Waller captured 12.
Key to Waller’s haul: Autumn Glow, Aeliana, Joliestar (two Group 1s each); Lazzura, Autumn Boy, Campione D’Italia, Ohope Wins, Fireball, Beiwacht (one each).
Waller bypassed the Arrowfield Sprint for Beiwacht on Championships Day Two, saving the colt for the All Aged Stakes – genius in motion.
“Beiwacht’s a very special horse,” Waller said.
“He did it in the Golden Rose as well when he broke the Rosehill 1400m track record.
“But to beat the older horses in the All Aged Stakes, he was up against an outstanding field, so he gets all the accolades today.”
Beiwacht ($6.50) burned the front under Rawiller Nash, winning by one length from Lazzura ($15); Jimmysstar ($5.50), renewing last year’s success, third half-head back.
$3.40 top pick Angel Capital midfield rail-bound early, denied run, sixth untried.
Half Yours, post-spring Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double, ninth four lengths off – heartening.
18 Group 1s for Waller in 2025-26; one more ties last season’s record.
198 career Group 1s; 200 beckons, matching Cummings/Smith (246).
Waller on Beiwacht’s layoff for All Aged Stakes:
“I think he didn’t like running down the straight, so we needed to find a stallion-making race that really stamps his authority, and this race stuck out,” Waller said.
“He ran well on the George Ryder Stakes, it was a softish track that day and today, back on a good track, he was terrific.
“Even his run behind Joliestar (second in the Canterbury Stakes), that showed that he was right up there with the best older horses so it’s very exciting.”
Rawiller: Beiwacht strong, fast splits, 1m 20.76s.
“You know what It’s like when you’re on a really good horse and you know you’re home,” Rawiller said.
“I just love the way he lengthened stride again when I asked him. I was just happy to enjoy it.”He’s highly talented, let’s say he’s a sprinter-miler, but at this stage I wouldn’t be rushing to get there.
“I think there’s plenty of 1200m and 1400m races he could be winning before then.”
Godolphin eyes $20m The TAB Everest (1200m) Oct 17 Randwick with Tempted, Tentyris – Beiwacht added.
Strong for $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) four-y-os Randwick Oct 31.
Waller defers to Godolphin on Everest.
“We’re lucky to be training these colts but I respect they’ve got big values so I will see what Godolphin comes up with,” Waller said.”Beiwacht’s got a great attitude, I’ve got a great team behind me that helps get colts like this to the races because it’s not an easy task. My team at home do me proud.
“There’s lots of options with a horse like this and that’s the beauty of racing in Australia and Sydney Racing. We’re just so lucky to be racing in this era.”
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