Sydney’s leading trainer for the past two seasons, Chris Waller has claimed the Group 1 race double on Saturday as a rain soaked Royal Randwick played host to the penultimate day of this year’s BMW Sydney Carnival, BMW Doncaster Day.
Leading Waller’s charge was Royal Descent (Nash Rawiller) who annihilated her counterparts in the Patinack Farm Australian Oaks for three-year-old fillies over 2,400m. It was Waller’s first Australian Oaks winner, and his filly could not have been more impressive, saluting by 10 lengths despite a very heavy track.
In the day’s signature race, the $2m BMW Doncaster, a large field of 18 starters embarked on what was a true test in the conditions over the classic mile distance.
The Rosehill-based Waller clinched victory with his Rosehill Guineas runner-up, three-year-old colt Sacred Falls providing Waller with his third Doncaster win in six years.
Sacred Falls edged out a very gallant Pierro who carried 57kg for the Gai Waterhouse stable and Norzita who finished third for legendary trainer Bart Cummings.
The upset win (with Sacred Falls starting at $18 with TAB) was even more spectacular for 22-year-old jockey Tommy Berry who is still on a high after winning the $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper a fortnight ago.
“They are the two races you want to win, the Golden Slipper and the Doncaster and I did both in the one season,” a delighted Berry declared post race.
“I have to thank Chris (Waller). He can really find a rider on the way up and he put a lot of confidence into me. He said that the horse was fit and ready to win and he did just that.”
The final day of the 2013 BMW Sydney Carnival – Schweppes Sydney Cup Day – will be held at Royal Randwick next Saturday, 27 April.
Source : Australian Turf Club
