The Golden Slipper isn’t up for discussion for Chris Waller when it comes to two-year-old newcomer Charge.
The colt steps out in the Merry Christmas ATC Members Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, a first-up run that will govern the next phase of his development.
But Sydney’s premier trainer is not about to pre-empt Charge’s debut by speculating on his future.
“You won’t get much out of me with two-year-olds. I don’t like building them up until they’ve got a story to be told,” Waller said.
However, Waller did offer some observations on the strength of his only barrier trial at Rosehill last month.
“He needs to relax a little bit better and I think under race conditions where they just run that half a second quicker per furlong he’ll be fine,” he said.
“He’s not an arrogant horse or a troublesome horse on the training track so I think he’ll settle well.”
Waller also saddles up Orcein second-up following an encouraging start to his career in the Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill on November 25.
After jumping awkwardly, Orcein recovered to place third behind the Gary Portelli-trained Magic Millions-bound Secret Lady and Godolphin’s Golden Slipper 2018 prospect Plague Stone.
“It was a very good first-up run. He did a few things wrong but he finished it off well,” Waller said.
“They’re both nice horses that have got there under their own steam without any pressure. Saturday will tell us where they’re at.”
