One for Waller in the Magic Millions Classic

It is not often that trainer Chris Waller only just manages to scrape into a feature race field with one runner, but that is exactly what happened when the field for the $2 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic was finalised with the Waller trained Chrysaor making the sixteen-strong field after still being below the cut off line in the Order Of Entry as late as January 3.

Waller plotted an unusual early path with the Better Than Ready colt. After initially trialling at Beaudesert, Waller sent Chrysaor to the Sunshine Coast to get a win in a QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1200m on November 19, that was after running fourth in a similar event over 1100m at Doomben in his debut outing on November 5.

Waller then looked to seal the deal in terms of securing a Magic Millions start by sending Chrysaor out to contest the Group 3 Bruce McLachlan at Doomben on December 24.

Chrysaor could only manage fourth on that occasion, but he did collect a very important $12 000 prize-money haul for his effort, which left him right on the fringe of gaining a place in the final field for the big race.

With a straight poker face, the Waller team waiting out the next two weeks, with Chrysaor staying back in the stable, until the call finally came down in their favour with Chrysaor earning a place in the final line-up.

Jimmy Orman, who has partnered Chrysaor in all three of his starts to date, retains the ride.

Waller did not have a runner in last year’s Magic Millions Two-year-Old Classic, but he did win the big race at his last attempt at doing so, when taking outthe honours with Shaquero in 2021, who saluted at a starting price of $13.

Chrysaor is currently quoted at $61 … again, not the kind of odds you would ordinarily see about a Chris Waller trained runner.