Chris Waller endorsed Chandana as part of his all-conquering stable’s new generation after the filly opened her winning account at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Waller is out on his own as the leading trainer of Group One winners in Australia this season, but there is no room for complacency in an operation that has had 10 elite-level wins since August.
“Chandana represents the sort of horse which is in the next wave to hopefully come through,” Waller said.
“With her and horses like Rodrico who ran second today, they are the next tier and it shows the systems are working well.”
Bringing up a double for leading sire High Chaparral, Chandana landed a $5 to $3.50 betting move in the Pro-Ride Maiden Handicap.
She sat three-wide in the running line with cover for James McDonald and drew away for a decisive three length win over $2.40 favourite Crystal Flute.
McDonald assured connections Chandana has a future, especially if she is given time to mature.
It was an assessment Waller wanted to hear with Chandana improving markedly from her debut placing at Gosford.
“We haven’t made her get there so to speak,” Waller said.
“She has got there herself so I can’t take too much credit but we might get through to some bigger races with her next year.
“We’re just learning about her. She’s been at the Warwick Farm stable and they have done a fantastic job with these types of horses.”
High Chaparral was also represented by a quinella in the TAB More Than Just Winning Handicap when the lightly raced Stampede beat Rodrico.
A solidly backed favourite at $2.60, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Stampede made all the running under Tim Clark.
“He’s still got a bit of race craft to learn but he’s in the right stable and he’ll keep getting better,” Clark said.
Waller brought up a double but not before Francais survived a protest to win the All Too Hard @ Vinery Handicap.
In a race for apprentice riders, James Innes Junior lodged an objection against Regan Bayliss, claiming his mount suffered interference over the final 100m.
Innes had his whip knocked out of his hand at the 20m but stewards said the incident was not enough to change the result.
