Chris Waller has a long list of achievements in racing.
Sydney’s premier trainer for the past two seasons, Waller has won Group One races in three states, including the prestigious Doncaster Mile twice.
But on Saturday Waller will tick off another career milestone – he will saddle up his first runner in a Cox Plate.
Waller will start Shoot Out in the race considered the pinnacle weight-for-age event in Australasia and he is chuffed.
“It’s a race that means a lot to me,” Waller said.
“I’ve always thought to win a Melbourne Cup would be great but to win a Cox Plate you’ve got to have won a lot of good races just to get there.
“Although I’ve only been with this horse for the second half of his career, I’m proud to have him there after winning a couple of Group Ones.
“He’s not just making up the numbers.”
The winner of the 2010 Randwick Guineas and Australian Derby, Shoot Out finished fourth in that year’s Cox Plate under then-trainer John Wallace.
He lost form the following winter and after a lengthy spell, Waller was charged with the task of rejuvenating his career.
In seven starts for the Rosehill trainer, Shoot Out has claimed Group One wins in the Chipping Norton and George Main Stakes and been placed in a Doncaster Mile and a Ranvet Stakes.
The Cox Plate is an arena all its own but Waller is confident Shoot Out is ready for battle.
“I know I’ve got a weight-for-age horse, a horse who can run good time, a horse who has had the perfect preparation and a sound horse,” he said.
“I’ve also got a good draw and a good jockey.”
A $21 Cox Plate chance, Shoot Out lost lustre with many punters following his sound but unspectacular seventh in the Epsom Handicap.
One of the main fancies heading into that race, he struggled under his 58kg impost and got back in a race dominated by on-pace runners.
But he showed the run had done him no harm with a sparkling workout at Breakfast with the Best on Tuesday and he has drawn ideally in barrier four.
Waller has no doubt his first Cox Plate runner will do him proud on Saturday and believes Shoot Out is capable of a top-five finish.
