Chris Waller is following a familiar strategy with his promising colt Hidden Achievement, whose career trajectory mirrors that of the stable’s previous J J Atkins winners.
The master trainer has taken out the prestigious juvenile Group 1 three times, most recently with The Autumn Sun in 2018 and Press Statement in 2015, both of whom debuted in April and had Sydney campaigns before claiming the J J Atkins (1600m).
Hidden Achievement made a similar start, finishing second on debut at Canterbury before breaking through at Gosford during their standalone Saturday card. In contrast to Waller’s earlier Atkins winners, this colt lines up for the Group 1 at his fourth start, not his third, after placing behind Zebra Finch at Rosehill last outing.
“There is nothing like keeping them at home and educating them, giving them a softer time up to the mile and their grand final,” Waller said.
“I think he’s got the right profile to go close.
“He has drawn reasonably well and James (McDonald) rides. He is a really nice colt.”
The champion trainer has opted for blinkers to sharpen Hidden Achievement for Saturday’s feature, noting they had the desired effect during recent gallops.
“He worked in them Saturday and Tuesday and he responded well to them,” he said.
“He won’t need them fulltime, but it will help him show a bit more aggression on Saturday.”
Waller also saddles Providence in the same race, while Regulated Affair is likely to remain at Rosehill after drawing poorly for the J J Atkins with gate 17.