Chris Waller insists no horse deserves to win a Group One more than Red Tracer.
And the classy five-year-old will get her chance to do so in the Tattersall’s Tiara in two weeks after becoming the first dual winner of the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Red Tracer - Photo by Steve Hart
A “gem of a ride” from Nash Rawiller aided Red Tracer ($5.50) to overcome a wide barrier and the mare showed her fighting qualities under her 59.5kg to hold out Floria ($7) by a head with the same margin to Arctic Flight ($31) third.
“If there’s ever been a Group One horse that hasn’t won one, surely it’s her,” Waller said.
“In my heart she’ll still go down as a Group One horse but until you win one you can’t fly that flag high.
“Hopefully she’ll come back in two weeks and prove to everyone she’s a Group One horse.”
Red Tracer has placed in three Group Ones during her career including narrow seconds in the Coolmore Classic and Queen Of The Turf Stakes earlier this season.
She finished fourth, beaten half a length, when trying to win the Tattersall’s Tiara last year after taking out the Dane Ripper.
Waller said there was two options for Rawiller with Red Tracer from the wide gate in Saturday’s race but after she jumped well, the jockey elected to follow Steps In Time across and got the mare to relax in a perfect spot.
“The last 100 metres was tough, but she did have a big weight,” Waller said.
