Latest News

By Ray Hickson

It’ll be a low key launch for a number of Chris Waller’s spring stars – headed by likely soon to be Horse Of The Year Via Sistina – at Tuesday’s Randwick barrier trials.

We’re a month away from the first Group 1 of the new season, the Winx Stakes (1400m) and Waller is set to have a strong hand in the race with Via Sistina to be joined by Fangirl, ATC Derby winner Aeliana and possibly Coolmore Classic winner Lady Shenandoah.

Waller stressed his stars set to trial this week, including Full Count Felicia, Lazzura and unbeaten filly Autumn Glow, won’t be setting the track on fire in the 850m heats on the Kensington track but it’s time to get them started.

Via Sistina heads a classy bunch stepping out at Tuesday's trials. (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Lady Shenandoah is scheduled have her first trial on Friday at Warwick Farm.

“They’re a month away from racing, you can imagine how much fitness is going to be done in the next month so don’t expect anything on Tuesday,’’ Waller said.

“The 23rd of August they will be racing. If everything goes to plan (they will have two trials).

"We allow an extra week just in case for a temperature or sore foot and things like that.

"Nine times out of 10 you need it and sometimes you will see them have an exhibition gallop.”

Via Sistina had a remarkable season winning seven Group 1 races – the first of them last year's Winx Stakes – culminating in her Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumph in April.

She’ll appear alongside Fangirl, who won the Queen Of The Turf Stakes on the same day, in a trial that also includes Godolphin pair Tom Kitten and Zardozi (the former heading to Anthony and Sam Freedman while latter goes to Ciaron Maher).

Waller said while Via Sistina is rising eight she’s showing no signs of slowing down but again highlighted his star mares will have cruisy mornings.

“She’s come back well, she’s come back stronger than she’s been and we used to say with other good horses I don’t think it means they run faster but she’s adapted to Australia,’’ Waller said.

“She’s been here 18 months now and I think it takes that long to adjust.

“Queen Elizabeth Day was fantastic to have them both win.

“They’ve come back well, they’re stablemates and live next to each other and they’ll probably finish out the back next to each other on Tuesday.”

There’ll be plenty of interest in how the unbeaten Autumn Glow returns after her autumn was cut short after she won the Darby Munro on Golden Slipper Day.

The Group 1 Epsom Handicap is her early target, she’s $3.50 favourite with TAB in pre-noms betting.

Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton will be set for the Golden Rose, he’s $6 second favourite behind Nepotism, and Waller said he’ll likely be ready to race a couple of weeks before the Run To The Rose.

His 850m trial includes Aeliana, Manaal, Lazzura, his soon to be stablemate Beiwacht and another Godolphin departee Pericles who is headed to Bjorn Baker.

* Watch the trials LIVE on Sky Throughbred Central or www.racingnsw.com.au from 9am on Tuesday.

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Randwick trials