Chris Waller will depend on a rival trainer to give him a result in the $10 million Everest but Sydney’s premier trainer has a strong hand in on the support card at Randwick.
The Gerald Ryan-trained Deploy will represent the slot in Waller’s name in Saturday’s Everest with the trainer’s unable to produce a sprinter worthy from his own stable.
“We had a couple that didn’t quite get there so we’re more than happy to be commercial and trade our slot,” Waller said.
“Deploy’s a track record holder in his last two starts, he’s a track and distance specialist. I think we’re well represented.”
Waller has engaged Irish jockey Jamie Spencer for promising filly Aonair in the Listed Reginald Allen Quality (1400m).
It will be Spencer’s second of five mounts before he rides Brave Smashin The Everest and Waller describes the 37-year-old’s availability as “absolute privilege”.
Aonair broke her maiden first-up this preparation but found a Benchmark 74 Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill a tougher proposition.
She now takes on her own age and sex.
“She’s a filly that probably wants a bit further than the 1400 but it’s a good opportunity to get some black-type for her,” Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth said.
Waller also has filly First In Hand chasing her first win in the Reginald Allen after she was scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Faith In Hand was transferred from Henry Dwyer’s Caulfield stable in March and opened her account with Waller with a third over 1000 metres at Flemington last month.
“It’s a bit of a gamble stepping her up to 1400 but she’s worked well through the week,” Waller said.
Highly regarded mare Oklahoma Girl can state her case for a Melbourne campaign in The Star Mile alongside stablemates Jaminzah, Invincibella and Black On Gold.
“If we handle her right we can get her down to Melbourne for a race like the Matriarch,” Waller said.
He also has dual Oaks winner Egg Tart making a belated bid for Group One glory this season as the favourite for the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield after she missed the Epsom Handicap with an eye problem.
