Over the last decade, the Phar Lap Stakes has acted as a strong pathway for a range of budding three-year-olds trained by Chris Waller, albeit with a subtle difference this time around.
The top trainer has claimed victory eight times in the race post-Winx’s breakthrough in 2015, entering on Saturday with Australian Guineas runner-up and short-priced pick Sixties, alongside lightly raced fillies Panova ($7.50) and Soverato ($19).
Bound for the Doncaster Mile (1600m) route, success for Sixties would represent Waller’s maiden colt success in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m).
Former wins involved fillies exclusively, and Panova, his next preference in early prices, shares traits with those achievers.
Having captured the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in spring, Panova finished sixth when resuming in the Surround Stakes (1400m).
Waller is optimistic about her return to form, explaining the race’s autumn positioning suits introducing quality fillies.
“It’s just one step back from the Group Ones and seems to give them good confidence. It has been a good stepping stone,” Waller said.
“And Panova is really nice filly. I expected her to run a length or two better first-up, but I’m not reading too much into it. I just think she was underdone. She is a good horse.”
Adrian Bott anticipates progress from Shangri La Boy in the Group 2 after the colt set the pace but tired in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) first-up after spring.
The lacklustre performance necessitated plan changes, and Saturday’s effort will guide next steps.
“A performance well below par first-up, hence the reason we pivoted from the Randwick Guineas, which was always the original plan,” Bott said.
“Hopefully this is a race we can see him bounce back in and gain some confidence through, and then we can adjust the back end of the campaign.”
Shangri La Boy has a liking for Rosehill, succeeding twice in three appearances there, with Nash Rawiller to ride.
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