For the $300,000 Expressway Stakes at Randwick this Saturday, Chris Waller has nominated three standout stablemates, yet it’s doubtful they’ll all line up together.
The 1200-metre Group 2 race, featuring 10 entries including Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah, provides a platform toward Group 1 objectives on the following run, while Waller assesses his options.
“We have got three ace cards for the Expressway, including Angel Capital and Joliestar, so I don’t want to run all three,” Waller said.
“I want to try to hold one back. I don’t know which one, possibly Lady Shenandoah.
“She could run in the mares’ race, the Triscay (Stakes), or run the following week in the Millie Fox.”
That said, Waller is set to send out three contenders for the Expressway Stakes, spearheaded by Lazzura, a four-year-old eyeing the Coolmore Classic, starting her autumn campaign.
“She’s had a couple of Group One placings and hasn’t had a lot of luck with a couple of them. She jarred up a bit in Melbourne with the firm tracks in the spring,” Waller said.
Last Saturday at Randwick, Lazzura and Lady Shenandoah, who are in the 13-horse nominations for the $250,000 Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m), completed 1000m exhibition gallops.
Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Lindermann and Trinity College also engaged in those workouts, which Waller described as helpful for sharpening their condition.
“The day out, the hot weather, the trip home, they’ve been away from the freed bin for six hours. It’s all part of tightening them up,” Waller said.
“It just saves the hard workouts and it saves getting behind. It’s easier to be well ahead. You just can’t play catch up with horses, so being well prepared and exhibitions gallops show everything has gone to plan and there have been no setbacks.
“If I don’t give them an exhibition gallop, it’s either a rushed prep or I just didn’t have time to do it how I wanted to do it.
“It gives them a chance to have a bit of a sweat, break the skin. Then next week they’ll come back and they’ll be picture perfect.”
In the $300,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), Waller lists nine entries such as Autumn Glow, Aeliana, Lindermann and Trinity College, possibly alongside Antino, Ceolwulf and Stefi Magnetica.
Visit the racing betting markets for competitive offers on the upcoming Expressway Stakes.
The post Chris Waller weighing up Expressway Stakes team first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
