Premier trainer Chris Waller took the early honours at Rosehill on Saturday with a race-to-race double in the opening two events.
Progressive stayer Stout Hearted opened Waller’s account on his home track with a determined display in the Premier’s Cup prelude (1800m) while Nocturnelle made up for seconds at her past two starts with victory in the Fairfield RSL Handicap (1400m).
The Premier’s Cup, also over 1800m, will be the next port of call for Stout Hearted while Nocturnelle is likely to be aimed at a race like the Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at next month’s Newcastle Cup carnival.
“It was a grinding effort and I think over further he will be able to show his sprint,” Waller said of Stout Hearted.
“He still doesn’t relax in his races but he is promising.
“He’ll run in the Premier’s Cup in two weeks and we might step up to a race like the Wyong Cup.”
Nathan Berry had Stout Hearted ($1.90) in a handy position and he overhauled the leaders in the final 200 metres to beat Gazza Guru ($18) by three-quarters of a length.
Nocturnelle ($2.20) was an even more decisive winner, beating Natch Catch ($18) by 2-1/2 lengths with Waller describing apprentice Chad Schofield’s ride as beyond his years.
Schofield leaves Sydney on Sunday to begin a three-month stint in Victoria with David Hayes to further his already successful career as a junior rider.
“It was a very experienced ride from a young kid on a horse who’s not the easiest to ride,” Waller said.
The trainer said Nocturnelle had had some issues but was improving with experience.
“She’s been a bit barrier shy,” he said.
“She did things wrong but luckily when she gets into the race she does things right.”
Waller also took out the first two races at Kembla Grange with The Firehouse who was in a dead-heat with Mahatma and Tennessee Love, a half-sister to Group One winner Aloha.
