Premier trainer Chris Waller is on the verge of celebrating another century of Sydney winners in a season following a double at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Victories to Writteninthestars and Disciple took Waller’s metropolitan tally to 99.5 and the trainer has a number of chances to break the 100 mark at Rosehill on Saturday.
Last season Waller became just the fifth trainer in history to have prepared 100 or more Sydney winners in a term.
“Every year has just been something different for me and this year is no exception,” Waller said.
“If we get to 100 winners on Saturday we’ve done it earlier than last year and we’d be on track for another improved season.
“Fortunately, since arriving in Sydney in 2000, every year has been better.
“I was very emotional last year.”
The training partnership of Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes also prepared a winning double with Core Purpose and Mecir while Anthony Cummings hasn’t ruled out the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) in Brisbane for two-year-old Ninth Legion after his impressive debut performance.
However, Cummings said time could still prove an enemy in getting him to the June 9 feature at Eagle Farm.
Ninth Legion overcame a wide barrier in the Flinders Lane Perfect Fit Shirt Maiden (1100m) to race to a neck victory over fellow debutant Knight Exemplar.
Legendary trainer Bart Cummings anticipated a bold showing from his son’s debutant once he spotted the colt in the parade ring.
“He looked fit,” the 12-time Melbourne Cup winning-trainer said aloud and within earshot of Anthony, who responded with: “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Cummings said Ninth Legion had always shown promise and would be given another test in Sydney before a decision was made on a TJ Smith start.
“He’s going to have his next run in Sydney first. It’s a bit of an ask to go there (to Brisbane) straight away and time-wise, we are really tight,” Cummings said.
“I’m not sure if we’ll get there but if the horse comes back and eats up quickly enough then he could turn up in the TJ.”
Meanwhile, Guy Walter said Queensland was not in his sights with talented three-year-old Zauberflote despite the promising filly maintaining an unbeaten start to her career with a determined win in the Canterbury Park Handicap (1250m).
“She’s going to get better as she gets over further and she has only been able to win this race today over 1250 metres on class,” Walter said.
“I think she’s got a big future.”
