Chris Waller – once a non-2YO trainer gets SHAQUERO (Shalaa – Fimatino) into the Gr 1 $3million Golden Slipper after he doggedly fought off all challenges to win the Gr 3 Pago Pago Stakes over the Slipper trip of 1200m.
And in doing so, ran 3 lengths faster than Arcaded did to win the girl’s version. He clocked 1:09.98sec.
He beat home TIGER OF MALAY (Extreme Choice – Sambar) and the luckless MAZU (Maurice – Chatelaine) who probably should have won the race.
But he didn’t, the Magic Millions winner Shaquero did and he is now firmed in a little to win the Slipper. He is $21 and Waller thinks that’s overs as he will improve a lot more.
“He is a decent horse and on a better track he is a different style of horse again.
“It is a similar profile to what we did to win the Magic Millions. He’ll be fitter again for Slipper day.”
Connections of Tiger Of Malay have to sit and think about next week’s Slipper. He is eligible to run but they haven’t signed him up yet.
His run here was excellent.
As was the 3rd horse Mazu who has firmed right up to win the Gr 1 Sires’ Produce following this terrific finishing burst where he had to weave between runners.
Was only a head behind Shaquero at the end.
He has firmed to win the Sires’ from $26 into $17 in Golden Slipper odds.
