The all-conquering Chris Waller is looking to saddle up a record eight Group One winners in the Warwick Stakes as the build-up to the spring carnival gathers momentum.
Kermadec, Preferment, Foreteller, Hawkspur, Moriarty, Grand Marshal, Beaten Up and Royal Descent are all set to run in Saturday’s Group Two weight-for-age race over 1400 metres at Randwick.
Kermadec
Sydney’s premier trainer gave Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec a race day work-out out at Rosehill on Saturday and said he and Royal Descent were the pick of his runners early in their preparations.
“I was pleased with the gallop and it will top him off nicely,” Waller said.
“Glen Boss will be coming to Sydney to ride him.
“I think Kermadec and Royal Descent are our main two on Saturday.
“She has come back strong this time and is not as soft as she was at the beginning of her last preparation and Hugh Bowman will ride.”
Royal Descent has not won a race since her devastating Oaks victory in 2013 but she has filled a minor placing in six Group One events including the past two Doncasters.
Waller also has Group Three winner Weary in the Warwick Stakes mix but said he may save him a week for the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield, the first Group One race of the new season.
Among those trying to stop the Waller onslaught will be the John Thompson-trained Flight Stakes winner First Seal, Godolphin’s 2013 Spring Champion Stakes winner Complacent and Doomben Cup winner Pornichet for Gai Waterhouse.
Last-start Missile Stakes winner, the Bjorn Baker-trained Burbero is also a likely starter.
CHRIS WALLER-TRAINED GROUP ONE WINNERS LIKELY TO RUN IN THE WARWICK STAKES:
Kermadec (Doncaster Mile 2015) Preferment (Victoria Derby 2014) Foreteller (Ranvet Stakes 2013; Underwood Stakes 2014) Hawkspur Queensland Derby 2013) Moriarty (Kingston Town Stakes 2014) Grand Marshal (Sydney Cup 2015) Beaten Up (Doomben Cup 2013) Royal Descent (Australian Oaks 2013)
