A start in the Epsom Handicap isn’t off the table for Group Two Shannon Stakes winner Waterford but it is unlikely with trainer Chris Waller favouring sticking to his original plan of the Alan Brown Stakes.
The victor of Saturday’s Shannon Stakes (1500m) is exempt from a ballot and penalty for next weekend’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick and Waller says he will discuss that option with Waterford’s owners, who include media personality Richard Callander.
“There are some pretty influential owners in the horse who like to have their say and I respect their say. They know what they’re talking about,” Waller said.
“So we will see what they’ve got to say, otherwise it’s back here for the Alan Brown in a couple of weeks, which is a good prizemoney race too.”
Waterford has won over a mile at Wyong but Waller feels it is at the end of his distance range and the testing 1600m circuit at Randwick may be a bridge too far, especially against undefeated stablemate and odds-on Epsom Handicap favourite Autumn Glow.
He is also adamant Waterford is capable of picking off another feature race, pointing out he has been luckless several times with narrow defeats in the 2023 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) along with last year’s Scone Cup (1600m) and Alan Brown Stakes (1400m).
“He has been beaten small margins in some good races like the Alan Brown and Theo Marks when he hasn’t had things go his way,” Waller said.
Waterford ($7) was dominant on Saturday, surging to the front halfway up the straight and maintaining his effort to the line to score by 2-1/4 lengths over Rise At Dawn ($2 fav) with Osipenko ($16) another short half-head away third.
Winning jockey James McDonald said he had the race in his keeping a long way from home.
“He travelled really kindly throughout and just needed a bit of luck at the top of the straight,” McDonald said.
“We got that and he showed a good turn of foot and he was never really in doubt.”
