Chris Waller will once again play a major role in the only Group 1 event restricted to mares during the Melbourne Spring Carnival, with three runners lining up in Saturday’s Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Waller saddles Fangirl, Lazzura and Leica Lucy as he bids to add another Empire Rose success to his record. His previous victories in the race include Atishu last year, along with Red Tracer in 2013 and Shillelagh in 2018.

Waller said all three mares are performing well and deserve their place in the field.

“I’m very happy with Fangirl after her work on Tuesday,” Waller said.

“She would be the top seed just on class alone based on what she has done throughout her career.

“She’s in the twilight zone (career wise), but she was bright and happy on Tuesday morning at Breakfast With The Stars.

“She had a good look around up the straight, but she’s ready to turn it on, on Saturday.”

Fangirl heads into the Empire Rose following a win in the 7 Stakes (1600m) in September and a sixth-place finish in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) last start.

Meanwhile, Leica Lucy and Lazzura both exit the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), finishing third and fifth respectively.

Waller has opted for a subtle gear tweak for Leica Lucy after feedback from Darren Beadman, who joined the stable earlier this season.

“She lays-in quite badly and Darren Beadman suggested a one-eyed blinker,” Waller said.

“One-eyed blinkers, I have found, are always hard to work out, but having someone with his experience and getting that feedback, is fantastic.

“We put it on her and Steven Arnold rode her in work on Tuesday, and you’re going from Darren Beadman’s advice to Steven Arnold’s take, and he said she worked really well.

“It’s feedback from two great former riders.”

Waller expects Lazzura to be more comfortable back at Flemington after being ridden more forward than usual in the Toorak.

“She had a tough run early and I think she’s better ridden off the speed a little bit and I think she’ll really love coming back to Flemington,” he said.

“Caulfield didn’t have a lot of luck with their tracks with the wind and dry conditions, and she felt that track and will really appreciate coming back to Flemington.”

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