Usually front and centre of the biggest races on the biggest days, Chris Waller didn’t saddle up a runner in this year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
But it didn’t stop him making his mark on Day Two of The Championships, the champion trainer celebrating a Group 1 win with Atishu in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) a race later.
“It’s been a great day’s racing. We didn’t have a runner in the Queen Elizabeth this year and felt a bit flat, but it’s great to see William Haggas bring his horse (Dubai Honour),” Waller said.
“He was amazing and Anamoe lost no admirers.
“But to win a Group One race the next race, its pretty special and well deserved.
“She was a bit stiff last start and given a beautiful ride from Nash Rawiller, she just really went to a new level.”
Atishu ($10) scored convincingly by 2-1/2 lengths over the ever-gallant Hope In Your Heart ($5) with More Secrets ($101) turning in the performance of her career for third, another half-length away.
The winner didn’t have the best of luck when runner-up to stablemate Roots in the Emancipation Stakes first-up and Rawiller was grateful her connections gave him another opportunity on Saturday.
He was also relieved to have a change in fortune after a mixed start to the year due to a couple of untimely careless riding suspensions.
“Just thanking the owners for the last time, everything went wrong and you know one of Chris’, they’re going to improve, train on and be a better horse today,” Rawiller said.
“Not only that but the jockey is going to be better for the ride too.
“Things like this today, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
“We’ve had a pretty hard last couple of months so to get here today and perform like this, it’s just been terrific.”
