Chris Waller’s patience in managing the early career of Zarastro appears set to reap rewards with the colt posting a classy maiden win at Canterbury to spearhead a stellar day at the office for his trainer.
Fetching $1.05 million as a yearling, the son of I Am Invincible had not raced since finishing runner-up to subsequent stakes winner Paulele in December last year but proved too good for his rivals in Wednesday’s Vinery Handicap (1100m).
Jockey Glyn Schofield let the three-year-old find his feet early and Zarastro ($2.70 fav) surged down the outside to defeat Ocean Emperor ($4.80) by a length with King Kapa ($3.80) warming up late to grab third, another half-length away.
Schofield said Zarastro had a class edge on his rivals and shaped as a bright prospect for the future.
“He just had too much on them really,” Schofield said.
“He’s got a lot of quality about him. He’s big, he’s strong.
“He relaxed nicely, which I think the connections might have been very happy to see him do today, and he showed a nice turn of speed on top of it so I can only give him a tick in every box.”
Zarastro was the highlight on a successful afternoon for the premier trainer, who took out four of the six races.
Green Flash, a $1 million yearling purchase, got Waller on the board with an encouraging victory in the opening race.
Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle took out the second event with the undefeated mare Norwegian Bliss before Waller claimed the next three with Zarastro, Rubamos and Zudin.
His winning sequence was ended by the Richard Litt-trained Black Duke, who stormed down the outside to win the final race.
