Waller makes an Everest gamble on Deploy

As someone who doesn’t bet, trainer Chris Waller has taken a big gamble on The Everest.

Waller and five partners stumped up $600,000 for a slot in Saturday’s $10 million race at Randwick.

While there’s no runner from Waller’s yard in the 1200m-sprint, the partners have thrown their support beind Deploy from Gerald Ryan’s neighbouring stable.

Deploy is rated a $13 chance on TAB fixed odds with Chautauqua, Vega Magic and She Will Reign sharing favouritism at $5.

Waller says while there’s potentially a big financial gain the pressure is different from saddling a stable runner in the race.

“You’ve basically got to run first three to get your money back but you subsidise your spot if you run fourth or fifth and you get paid back to last as well,” Waller said.

“It’s like having a bet and you could look at laying off money by betting on other horses, but that’s getting a bit too complicated for a horse trainer that doesn’t bet.”

Waller said slot holders needed to get the best value from their outlay ,adding they had gone through quite a process settling on Deploy.

“Ideally you’d sell it (the slot) and get a percentage of the prize money but you’d need one of the favourites to do that,” he said.

“But then they have the power to say ‘no, you’re only going to get a small amount’.

“It’s a fine line and no-one wants to miss out completely, so you can’t be too shrewd and wait too long.

“I’m very happy with Deploy.

“He’s set two track records in his past two starts and seems quite versatile with the tracks which is also a concern when you’re working so far out.

“It’s an interesting concept and it’s important that it works.”

Ryan is also happy with Deploy and says he has had no input from Waller on the gelding’s training.

“Chris and I had a brief chat in passing about the barrier (7) and that was it,” Ryan said.