Chris Waller’s success with European imports is well documented but Saturday’s Rosehill winner Titbit is a little different.
The mare is one of a handful of female horses Waller has in his collection of former northern hemisphere gallopers and is also one who has shown the trainer staying races are beyond her.
But in a solidly-run middle distance race such as the Tony and Manera Lahood Hcp (1500m) Titbit is at home.
Sent out the $3.40 favourite, Titbit was settled back in the field by Glyn Schofield and saved for a late dash at the leaders.
The plan worked with Titbit beating Fill The Page ($9.50) by a neck with an identical margin to Lycra Lass ($8.50).
“She is an honest toiler and the ride was the winning of the race,” Waller said.
“We tried her as a stayer last preparation but a mile (1600m) is her distance.
“She tries hard but lacks acceleration which is why it was a ten out of ten ride from Glyn who saved her for her sprint.
“She is one of our imports with some great owners in her and one of the few fillies we have bought.”
Waller’s earlier belief Titbit would be a stayer was fuelled by the fact she is by Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux’s sire Cadeaux Genereux.
Her stablemate Dynamic Honour, a winner last week, is by 2010 Cup winner Americain’s sire Dynaformer.
King Gladiator is another Waller charge who is being kept to shorter distances for the time being.
The four-year-old brought up a customary double for Sydney’s premier trainer in the Exponet Hcp (1900m) when he beat stablemate Tropicana Girl by a half-length.
“He ran fifth in the Derby and we thought he might be a Caulfield Cup horse,” Waller said.
“But I think 2000 metres is his distance.
“It was all a bit much too quick for him and we might try him over longer later on.
“But for now this is as far as he wants.”
AAP TURF
