Chris Waller is hoping for a better outcome with Foreteller in Saturday’s Group One Doomben Cup than he experienced in the race last year.
Foreteller emerged from last year’s Cup as collateral damage after a roughhouse renewal won by Mawingo.
Foreteller winning the David Jones Cup (Group 3) at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
“He broke his leg in this race last year and I hope the riders take more caution this year,” Waller said.
“There was a real scrimmage at one point and he was the one that suffered the worst where he finished plus the injury that occurred.
“It was the splint bone he fractured which required a lengthy spell for it to heal 100 per cent.”
After Foreteller finished ninth in last year’s Doomben Cup, the gelding didn’t reappear until January but his form during the autumn has been excellent.
After winning the Group Two Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield, Foreteller bounced back from an Australian Cup flop to win the Group One Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 23.
The six-year-old was rated unlucky by Waller when he finished second to Lights Of Heaven in the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 4.
“He was three deep for the entire trip and still finished the race off strongly,” he told RadioTAB.
“He’s probably the benchmark runner because of his good draw.”
Despite drawing a favourable barrier four in the Cup, Waller said Foreteller was unlikely to be ridden closer than midfield.
“We’ve tried riding him closer and it backfired so I’m not willing to try again,” he said.
“From the good draw we don’t have to go back to last. He can be midfield and still be ridden quietly.”
Waller has a strong hand in the Cup with Beaten Up (Leith Innes) and Danleigh (Michael Walker) as back-up chances to Foreteller (Jim Cassidy).
Beaten Up will be suited if the Cup is run at a fast tempo according to Waller.
“I’d expect it to be run at a good speed and therefore he should settle and could be a real surprise package,” he said.
Seven years after competing in Brisbane as a two-year-old, Danleigh is having his first attempt at 2000 metres in the Cup.
“I had the choice of running him in the mile race or the Cup but I thought he’s a Group One horse, send him around and hope for the best,” he said.
“It’d be a fairytale result if he won the race.”
Waller is seeking his second win in the Cup after Metal Bender’s success in 2010.
