Bearing down on a record breaking season, premier trainer Chris Waller was left downcast in the lead-up to Saturday’s Doomben 10,000.
The Rosehill-based horseman, who’s recently set up Flemington stable is sending out winners as well, will start one of his favourite galloper Rangirangdoon in the Queensland feature.
“I was flatten when the barrier draw came out and he ended up with barrier 14,” Waller said on Friday.
“I honestly thought he was a legitimate chance but this makes a little more difficult.
“The horse is going great, his first-up run in the All-Aged was excellent. He was a bit soft in condition and it is the right form race going into this.”
Rangirangdoo has suffered all manner of injuries throughout a career which had netted multiple group 1 victories, including the prized Donacaster Mile at Randwick.
“He came through the first-up very well and has improved and the distance tomorrow is close to perfect,” Waller said.
“Due to the barrier we are going to have to ride differently I don’t want to go forward and burn him.
“He’ll have to go back and will need lucky.”
Rangirangdoo will be ridden by Tim Clark, who recently returned from a highly-successful stint riding in Hong Kong. He has been in the winner’s circle on several occasions, including the Wagga Cup on Scream Machine, and victory in the Doomben 10,000 will confirmed he is back better than ever.
Waller is even considering running Rangirangdoo in the upcoming Stradbroke Handicap where he could have several runners.
“He won’t be running much longer but we won’t be dropping him back in the class,” Waller said. “As soon as he is not competitive, racing at his best, we will be retiring him.”
Waller could be set for a big day at Doomben as Arinosa has been installed a short-priced favourite the Glenlogan Stakes, while his last start Rough Habit Plate winner Hawkspur heads the betting for the Grand Prix Stakes.
“Arinosa is going very well, she is a model of consistency,” Waller said. “She stayed in the stable after her last start win [in Sapphire Stakes] and trialled very well.
“She could have run in the 10,000 but that might have been a bit foolish at this stage, she’ll get her chance at two group 1s in the next four weeks, whose being the Stradbroke and the Tattersalls Tiara.”
Waller described Hawkspur as “the bread and butter type” and his trip north was well planned.
“We sent him up there for a grand final, that being every race he runs in,” Waller said. “That’s where you get the money in the lead-up races, only one horse can win the Derby.
“He won well last start and tomorrow he’ll need another nice ride to be in the finish.
“He only has to hold his form to do that and his work suggests he has done that.”
Waller has decided to take his unbeaten juvenile Zoustar north for the Sires Produce Stakes, in which stablematre Vilanova will also start.
“I wanted to run Zoustar at Randwick but when the rain came, we decided to go to Doomben,” Waller said.
“I think he will be a very good horse in the spring and while he is still doing a few things wrong this is another step for him.
“Vilanova is a nice horse and the 1350m suits him better again. I think he has improved and he will go better again.”
Waller is certain to be a player at Randwick and he made special mention of She’s Clean in the SCSI handicap.
“She is a late bloomer this horse,” Waller said. “She is on trial for the Stradbroke where she will get in with a nice weight.
“She is a good horse, she has won six from 14, including a group race.”
By Craig Young
