Chris Waller unearthed a pair of promising three-year-olds at a rain-soaked Warwick Farm on Wednesday, with both set to feature in higher-grade races later in the season.
Burma Star opened the meeting with a commanding victory in the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Handicap (1100m). The son of Exceed And Excel broke through at his fifth outing, having shown glimpses of talent previously when finishing behind Blitzburg and King Of Pop as a juvenile.
Transferred from James Cummings as part of Godolphin’s new public training model, the colt has quickly adapted to Waller’s system. The champion trainer credited the groundwork of his predecessor. “I’m just taking James’ wages,” Waller quipped. “What we’ve seen from Godolphin is they’ve got amazing systems, good staff, the horses are so well educated and they look fantastic.”
Sent out $1.95 favourite, Burma Star relished the Heavy 10 going, powering home to win by 3-3/4 lengths over outsider Hush Hush ($41), with Defiance ($5) another two lengths adrift in third. Waller said he would consult with winning jockey James McDonald before deciding the colt’s immediate targets. “I will have a good chat to James…. hopefully we can pick up some black type for the mare and for the Godolphin operation,” he said.
Waller then combined with Jason Collett to claim the Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series Handicap (1300m) with Beside The Sea ($8.50). The blue-blooded filly, by Zoustar and a half-sister to 2020 Golden Slipper hero Farnan, bolted in by almost four lengths over Koibito ($3.20 fav). It was just her second career start after placing on debut at Randwick’s Kensington track last month.
Waller said Beside The Sea would likely head to the paddock with an autumn campaign in mind. “I wanted to get today out of the way. She is obviously very well bred and she won’t need to do a lot more this prep,” he said. “If you spelled her now, in the autumn she could be one of those P J Bell (Stakes), James Carr (Stakes) fillies.”