One glaring omission from the CV of champion trainer Chris Waller is he is yet to capture the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
Waller will be hoping to rectify that when Sixties runs under trainer’s name in the 1600m race for three-year-olds at Flemington on Saturday.
Meticulous planning has gone into Sixties assault on this year’s Guineas with Waller sending the colt to Melbourne for experience left-handed ahead of Saturday’s race.
Like Riff Rocket in 2024, Sixties won the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington earlier in February, but this time around Waller is hoping for a different Guineas result.
Riff Rocket finished third to Southport Tycoon as the $2.50 favourite in 2024 before returning to Sydney to claim the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby double.
“He’s very fit and ready for his Grand Final,” Waller said of Sixties.
“He’s had the two runs back from a spell and both have been pretty impressive to my eyes.
“After the Golden Rose it was either the Australian Guineas or Randwick Guineas and we’ve got Autumn Boy in Sydney, so we decided to split them up.
“He needed to run well first-up, which he did, and he needed a run left-handed, which he did well, and he’s kept improving.
“It’s another step up on Saturday, but he’s the right horse to be able to do it.”
Damian Lane, who partnered Sixties in his C S Hayes victory, rides the colt again on Saturday before commencing a careless riding suspension.
Sixties must overcome the widest draw, barrier 10, and the presence of Victoria Derby winner Observer who resumed with an impressive win in the Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 7.
Waller said Sixties was versatile and more importantly has a great temperament.
“He’s led and won Stakes races before and he’s come from back and he’s sat wide,” Waller said.
“The beauty of Sixties is, he’s got a great temperament. Wherever Damian wants to be, he’ll be responsive and he will settle if he does ask him a question early.
“I think we’ll leave it to Damian, see how they leave the barriers, see how the first 200 metres suggests where other horses are.
“He doesn’t need to be too far away and if he wants to, he can settle.”
Waller said Observer was the horse he was most afraid of.
“He’s a good horse and the distance will suit him,” Waller said.
“His first-up win was terrific and he looks very good, but hopefully he’s not as good as Sixties.”
Waller will also saddle Officiate in the Guineas with Ben Melham in saddle.
“He needs to improve a little bit. He’s a rough chance,” Waller said.
