Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller is looming large on the horizon in his bid to surpass 156 winners in the metropolitan area for the 2012-13 season.
The 156-win record is held jointly by Gai Waterhouse (2002-03) and Tommy Smith (1975-76) but there appears little doubt Waller will pass the milestone prior to the end of this season (31 July).
Waller has an unassailable lead in the premiership with Peter Snowden (68.5 wins) and Gai Waterhouse (68) battling out second place.
Waller has entered 19 horses for this Saturday’s June Stakes Day at Royal Randwick with four in the $100,000 Listed-June Stakes (1200m) – Red Tracer, Balavan, She’s Clean and Riva de Lago.
The trainer has two runners in the gruelling $100,000 Stayers Cup (3200m) with the honest Thubiaan returning from a five-start Melbourne campaign which reaped a win at Flemington (2800m) and placings at Moonee Valley (twice) and Flemington (twice).
Permit is also marked down to run in the cup, but was disappointing when a last start fifth (of six runners) behind Fuimicino in the WJ McKell Cup (2400m) at Randwick.
There is plenty of depth to the Stayers Cup nominations with last start winners Peal of Bells (Gwenda Markwell), Tognetti (Guy Walter), Unchain My Heart (David Hayes) and Piazza San Pietro (Bede Murray).
The latter looked good when a near seven length winner of the inaugural MTC Marathon (2500m) at Wagga last start.
Source : Racing NSW
