Chris Waller’s success with European imports is well documented but he admits some are more challenging than others.
Illo fits that profile but his trainer is encouraged by his close third in an 1800m race at Rosehill last start and hopes he can break through for an Australian win on Saturday.
The winner of three stakes races in Germany, Illo was bought by Richard Pegum as a Melbourne Cup prospect and spent time with Bart Cummings until being transferred to Waller early this year.
Illo is one of 19 entries for the Kensei Handicap (2000m) and is also nominated for a 2040m race at Moonee Valley.
“The plan is to run in Sydney but he has been nominated for Melbourne in case there is a downpour here,” Waller said.
“He ran a good race last start and he is holding his weight better than he was.
“Some of the European horses take longer to acclimatise but I think we have found the key to him now.”
Waller, who claimed his eighth Group One win of the season with Hawkspur in the Queensland Derby, will concentrate on Sydney this weekend with a host of runners.
He is within sight of the Sydney training record of 156 with 148-1/2 winners as of Monday as he powers to a third premiership.
Among his runners at Rosehill will be the in-form Disciple in the 1350m benchmark 85 event.
The winner of his past two races over 1200m, Disciple will be ridden by 3kg-claiming apprentice John Kissick who is also in form with a city double at Randwick on Monday.
“He is a really nice horse and continues to do well,” Waller said.
Said Com will run over 1400m after having his training regime changed.
Group One placed when runner-up to Mosheen in the 2012 Randwick Guineas, Said Com has been tried up to 2000 metres.
“We’ve decided he is really a sprinter-miler and that’s what we will concentrate on,” Waller said.
“It suits him much better.”
Source : AAP
