Godolphin’s Beiwacht put an exclamation mark on Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller’s unrivalled run of success through the Sydney autumn carnival success with his tough all-the-way win against a star-studded field in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
For good measure, Waller prepared the quinella in the final Sydney Group 1 of the season with Lazzura chasing home stablemate Beiwacht.
The All Aged result came soon after Waller trained the trifecta in the day’s other Group 1 race, the Champagne Stakes with Fireball beating Campione D’Italia and Diameter.
So, eight consecutive Saturdays of Group 1 racing in Sydney this autumn ends with the All Aged and Waller has prepared at least one Group 1 winner every week – a remarkable achievement.
In total there have been 22 Group 1 races run in Sydney this autumn and Waller has trained 12 Group 1 winners.
Waller’s big-race winners were spread between Autumn Glow, Aeliana and Joliestar with two Group wins each, plus Lazzura, Autumn Boy, Campione D’Italia, Ohope Wins, Fireball and Beiwacht with one major each.
Waller nearly ran Beiwacht in the Arrowfield Sprint on Day Two of The Championships but instead decided to keep the colt fresh for the All Aged Stakes and it proved a masterstroke.
“Beiwacht’s a very special horse,” Waller said.
“He did it in the Golden Rose as well when he broke the Rosehill 1400m track record.
“But to beat the older horses in the All Aged Stakes, he was up against an outstanding field, so he gets all the accolades today.”
Beiwacht ($6.50) led throughout under Nash Rawiller to win by a length from Lazzura ($15) with last year’s winner Jimmysstar ($5.50) charging home for third, a half head further back.
Angel Capital, the $3.40 favourite, settled midfield on the rail early and never got a clear crack at his rivals, finishing sixth without being full tested.
Half Yours, having his first starts since completing the coveted Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double last spring, ran ninth but was only beaten four lengths in a pleasing comeback.
Waller has prepared 18 Group 1 winners for 2025-26 and needs just one more to equal his all-time record for most majors set last season.
The champion trainer now has 198 Group 1 wins for his career and will soon join Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith with 246 Group 1 wins each as the only Australian trainers to win at least 200 Group 1 wins.
Waller then explained his decision to give Beiwacht a month between runs and wait for the All Aged Stakes.
“I think he didn’t like running down the straight, so we needed to find a stallion-making race that really stamps his authority, and this race stuck out,” Waller said.
“He ran well on the George Ryder Stakes, it was a softish track that day and today, back on a good track, he was terrific.
“Even his run behind Joliestar (second in the Canterbury Stakes), that showed that he was right up there with the best older horses so it’s very exciting.”
Rawiller said Beiwacht travelled beautifully and was able to reel off fast sectionals, stopping the clock at a very fast 1m 20.76s.
“You know what It’s like when you’re on a really good horse and you know you’re home,” Rawiller said.
“I just love the way he lengthened stride again when I asked him. I was just happy to enjoy it.”He’s highly talented, let’s say he’s a sprinter-miler, but at this stage I wouldn’t be rushing to get there.
“I think there’s plenty of 1200m and 1400m races he could be winning before then.”
Godolphin has the likes of Tempted and Tentyris among the leading contenders for the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17 and Beiwacht’s name can be added to that list.
Beiwacht is also shaping as a leading contender for the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) for four-year-olds at Randwick on October 31.
Waller said it would be up to Godolphin whether Beiwacht is aimed at The Everest.
“We’re lucky to be training these colts but I respect they’ve got big values so I will see what Godolphin comes up with,” Waller said.”Beiwacht’s got a great attitude, I’ve got a great team behind me that helps get colts like this to the races because it’s not an easy task. My team at home do me proud.
“There’s lots of options with a horse like this and that’s the beauty of racing in Australia and Sydney Racing. We’re just so lucky to be racing in this era.”
