He may have plenty on his plate at Royal Ascot as Joliestar prepares for her start on Saturday, but Chris Waller is also keeping an eye on his prospects at home.
One of the stable’s better winning chances comes in the form of Hello Captain who lines up in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1300m) at Randwick.
With Nash Rawiller aboard this time, the gelding has not been missed by punters as an even money favourite.
“Hello Captain has returned in great shape,” Waller said from England
“He has found really good form, he has won his last three starts and is full of confidence.”
Purchased by Waller and bloodstock expert Guy Mulcaster at the Karaka Sales in New Zealand for around AU$520,000, the son of Hello Youmzain has notched three wins in four starts with the other a second placing at Doomben in December.
“He’s a typical New Zealand-bred horse, he has just taken time to mature,” Waller added.
“But James (McDonald, jockey) rode him a couple of starts ago and gave him a good report.
“He’s trained on well since and kept his form. This is a bit trickier with a bit of weight (60.5-kilos) but if he was to win again Saturday we might back off and then have a look at the spring.”
In the following race, a benchmark 78 event over 1800m, Waller has mare Nasebah set to start at a similarly short market quote.
The four-year-old finished off well to claim fourth placing on June 6 when stepping back in trip to the Randwick mile.
“This horse was very unlucky last start but she will be very hard to beat on Saturday,” Waller said.
