In the eyes of the markets, Sixties ranks as Chris Waller’s number two for the Doncaster Mile, but the handler can build a strong argument for the three-year-old to feature prominently in Randwick’s headline race.
Sheza Alibi, prepared by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, commands favouritism at $2, ahead of Waller’s Autumn Boy on $7, with Sixties in the cluster priced $14-$19.
Bad luck in barriers has plagued the colt this preparation, including third in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington, and he’ll tackle another tough draw from the outside in the 16-starter Doncaster.
Nevertheless, if fortune smiles from gate 16, Waller is certain Sixties can make his presence felt in the closing stages.
“Sixties is a very talented horse, and he showed that with his Phar Lap (Stakes) win, and before that as well,” Waller said.
“He didn’t get much luck in his last Group One run, which was in the Australian Guineas, when he drew wide and needed to go forward. It didn’t quite work for him.
“He’s (Group 1 winner) Artorius’ brother, so he’s well bred, and he’s a really good-natured horse.”
Rachel King secured the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) win with Sixties last year and draws the steer once more this Saturday.
She lacks a flagship success with Waller to date, yet holds six Group 1 wins Down Under for Bjorn Baker, Tulloch Lodge, and Mark Newnham, and an additional one in Japan last year.
Waller relishes having the innate lightweight rider involved, citing her track record in high-profile contests.
“She won a Group race on him in the spring, and she is a natural lightweight rider,” he said.
“I see her as a big race rider. She’s won some big races in Australia, some big races in Japan, big races in Melbourne. She’s the right person for the job.”
King features in all four Group 1 races on day one of The Championships, riding Rachini for Baker in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), that stable’s Green Spaces in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m), and Joe Pride’s Mazu in the T J Smith Stakes (1200m).
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