The Chris Waller stable could well have an apparent stranglehold on the $2 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic by the time the big race comes around at the Gold Coast on January 16 … and we will know more after Shaquero’s performance in the BJ McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm on Boxing Day.
The son of Shalaa is currently the ruling favourite for the Magic Millions Classic at $5.00.
That respect on the betting boards follows Shaquero’s Group 3 win in the Breeders’ Plate over 1000m at Randwick where he won on debut on October 3. He has had two trials since then, winning the last trail on December 15 as the master trainer gradually brings the two-year-old along on a measured pathway designed to prime the colt for the big day.
Shaquero will face seven runners in the BJ McLachlan where he has been marked up a clear-cut favourite at $2.15.
“He won the Breeder’s Plate first-up after winning a trial here at the Gold Coast,” said Paul Shailer, the foreman of the Chris Waller stables at the Gold Coast, taking up the story.
“He is a really nice horse who has got all of the attributes to win a good two-year-old race.
“He is very sensible. He is fast, He is tractable. He is just a good type of horse.”
Waller also currently also has the second favourite for the Classic in his yard … the Wyong Magic Millions Two-Year-old winner, She’s All Class.
“Yeah, we look like we could play a good hand in the race so far,” agreed Shailer, “but we have got to get there yet.”
And Shailer’s last word on his immediate hopes for Shaquero?
“To get through Saturday safely. Hopefully he puts his hand up and justifies his favouritism for the Magic Millions”
The Waller stable also send out The Elanora in the Grand Prix Stakes.
“The Elanora’s record shows he has got to have a good chance in that race,” said Shailer.
“He is lightly raced horse. He has only had five starts and he has won three of them. He looks quite a progressive horse and he looks as if he will like getting over a trip. He could be a good horse in the making.
“The Elanora has been here for a couple of days. He has settled in real good. Haven’t done much with him. Just kept him ticking over while Shaquero will arrive on Thursday morning. He’s trialled up well.
“Travelling isn’t really a concern for us. Our horses are pretty well travelled. Whether they go to Melbourne, Sydney or the Gold Coast … it is just the same systems throughout so, apart from location, nothing really changes for them and they tend to take it all in their stride.
“Things are looking good on paper. We’ll see how we go on Saturday.”
