Chris Waller is set to rely on God’s Window in his bid to win a second W J McKell Cup at Rosehill with stablemate Rotagilla all but certain to race in Queensland.
The latter has remained in Brisbane since finishing third at Eagle Farm earlier this month and Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, says he will go around in Saturday’s Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at the same track, rather than stretching to a middle-distance at Rosehill.
“He is already up there anyway, and 2000 just sees him out because he wants to get a little bit keen, so he will stay over the mile up there instead,” Duckworth said.
“He is a good little horse. He just needs speed on, and Tim (Clark) gets on well with him. That’s another factor for keeping him up there.”
With Rotagilla set to compete in Brisbane, God’s Window will be the stable’s lone runner in the Listed W J McKell Cup (2000m), which headlines the Rosehill card.
Waller has previously won the winter feature with Skyman in 2022, and God’s Window arrives in form, having won over a mile at Randwick two starts ago and finished runner-up to Formal Display over the same course and distance on June 6.
In only his second Australian campaign, God’s Window was held in high enough regard overseas to contest the 2024 Epsom Derby and while he hasn’t won beyond 1709m, he has been placed up to 2414m.
“Both runs back over a mile have been really good,” Duckworth said.
“He has drawn slightly sticky, but he is relaxing better than he ever has, which has been a bit of a concern for him.
“He had a tick over trial last week. He’s right in it.”
Early market makers agree, with God’s Window a $3.70 favourite ahead of Gosford and Lord Mayors Cup placegetter Zaphod at $5, while Rotagilla is an $8.50 chance at Eagle Farm.
