Epsom Handicap and Golden Eagle winner Kolding is sitting pretty among the top 10 in voting for the $5 million All-Star Mile and trainer Chris Waller hopes he can pick up another Group One win on the way to the rich race.
Kolding, who resumed from a spell with a closing fourth in the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) in Sydney on Saturday, is currently fourth in the poll for the All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 14 with the top 10 to be offered a berth in the race.
Voting closes on February 16 and up to five wildcards will be revealed to make up the 15-horse field, including two “win and you’re in races” – the Futurity Stakes and Blamey Stakes.
Waller said Kolding would have his next start in the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) on February 22.
“I was very happy with the (Expressway) run,” Waller told RSN927.
“Obviously 1200 metres is just a bit short for him and we went back from his wide barrier. I actually haven’t seen the sectional times but to my eye they looked pretty good.
“He’s come through the race well and his next run will be at Caulfield just to give him the experience of running around there, which will be in the Futurity in two-and-a-half weeks’ time. And then three weeks to the All-Star Mile.”
Waller has lost one of his stable stars with Yes Yes Yes retired to stud on Monday because of a tendon injury.
The Everest-winning colt had been heading towards the Group One Lightning Stakes on Saturday week at Flemington, the race that will launch multiple Group One-winning stablemate Nature Strip’s campaign.
Before then Waller is set to be represented by both Kings Will Dream and Night’s Watch in Australia’s first Group One race of 2020, Saturday’s weight-for-age C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
“They’ve both arrived into the Flemington stable safely,” Waller said.
“They’ve had a couple of trials each and seem to be quite forward in condition.
“Night’s Watch is an exciting horse and I don’t think we’ve quite seen the best of him. He’s got a great finish.
“And Kings Will Dream got back to Group One-winning form last preparation. He’s probably not quite as sharp as he used to be over the 1400 metre trip but it’s certainly a good starting point.”
