Unsettled Sydney skies have created uncertainty across the board, though the majority of Chris Waller’s elite runners stay locked in for the carnival’s debut Group 1 assembly.
Featuring prominently among Saturday’s two Group 1s is the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m), where the handler controls seven of nine fields, securing a firm advantage.
The mile highlight may not rank as an autumn centrepiece, but Waller sees it as an essential pathway race, proven by past successes of Via Sistina, namesake Verry Elleegant, and Winx.
This campaign, favourite Autumn Glow spearheads the assault, accompanied by Australian Derby winner Aeliana, seasoned Lindermann, plus resuming endurance specialists.
“It’s a fork in the road. Some stick around the 1500-metre and mile path, some will go up in distance, and some might go to easier races,” Waller said.
“Those previous winners, their class told. Verry Elleegant was a little bit different to the other two because she was more dominant over further, but she had the class to win over a mile.
“Autumn Glow fits those three horses.”
Waller stands to influence the Skyline Stakes (1200m) strongly, via unbeaten colt Fireball and fresh face Central Europe.
Quoted fifth for the Golden Slipper at $18 after standout trials, Central Europe hails from Frankel, renowned for distance performers, yet Waller cites Hungry Heart as evidence otherwise.
That Frankel filly took out the Sweet Embrace Stakes on this corresponding bill in 2020, later fifth in the Golden Slipper.
“We have respected Frankel since then, and he was a very good horse himself, a fast horse,” Waller said.
“So I’m not totally surprised.
“This horse hasn’t been pushed yet. He has got there himself. He is having his first start in a Group race so it’s straight to the NRL first time. They have to be very good, and he is. It’s just whether he’s ready for it.”
Barrier seven falls to Central Europe, while Fireball copes with post 12, but the Inglis Millennium conqueror remains committed per Waller, future plans paramount.
“We’re keen to go three weeks into the Slipper,” he said.
“We just need to get the first half right and make sure he is finishing off so we’re not scratching our head going into the Slipper. That will have some bearing on how we ride him Saturday.”
Friday morning saw Randwick at soft 7, with precipitation due to lift later.
Fans should check leading betting sites for the best prices on the Verry Elleegant Stakes action.
