He isn’t expecting to upset high-profile fillies Tempted and Apocalyptic, but Chris Waller is anticipating bold performances from Karinska and Panova in the Group One Surround Stakes at Randwick.
Both have been marked at double-figure odds for Saturday’s three-year-old feature, and Waller will be content to see the pair hitting the line with a view to the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) next start.
Group 1 placed over a mile in the spring, Karinska was a closing fifth to Saturday’s rival Savvy Hallie in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) and as a $34 chance for the Surround, continues to sneak under the radar.
“She is under-rated. That’s not saying she can beat those good horses, it’s a very good edition,” Waller said.
“We’re not expecting too much, but if she’s running top five than we’re on track to finding our own way somewhere.”
Waller confirmed the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 14 – which he has won eight times in the past 11 years, all with fillies – was her immediate goal.
It is also the short-term target for Panova ($17), who takes on the top-tier fillies for the first time after rising through the ranks to finish her spring campaign with a brace of Group 3 wins in the Reginald Allen (1400m) and Carbine Club Stakes (1600m).
Waller is excited about her future, and hasn’t ruled out a tilt at the older mares in the Coolmore Classic (1500m).
“She will go to the Phar Lap and the Vinery. If she was really impressive in the Phar Lap, she could go to the Coolmore,” he said.
“She is a really good horse. She was impressive in those two wins. She came from well back in each of them.”
“She is still carrying a bit of weight, but Saturday is a great starting point.”
James Mcdonald has partnered Panova in two recent trials and has stuck with the untapped filly on Saturday.
Interestingly, Waller doesn’t have a prolific winning record in the Surround Stakes by his usual standards, having claimed it just twice with Hinged in 2022 and Lady Shenandoah last year.
