Chris Waller prepares the favourite for this Saturday’s headline act – the $5 million Golden Slipper – but a couple of Wodeton’s higher-profile stablemates threaten to steal the show at Rosehill.
Via Sistina and Fangirl will head separate ways for the first time this preparation with Cox Plate heroine Via Sistina to run in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Fangirl to contest the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Each will be lining up for their third run of the campaign with Via Sistina coming off a win over Fangirl in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m), having finished third behind that six-year-old the start prior in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).
“They had a gallop morning (on Saturday) just to stretch their legs, their regular riders were aboard and said they’d come through their last starts really well and gone forward,” Waller said.
“They will separate for the first time this preparation, which is good, as well as taking on other horses.
“The 2000 metres suits Via a little bit better and I think the 1500 metres suits Fangirl better.”
Via Sistina is likely to be a long-odds-on favourite for the Ranvet Stakes, particularly if Dubai Honour, who is among the 14 entries but not a confirmed starter, does not take his place.
Via Sistina was entered for the George Ryder as a precaution and gives Waller seven entries.
Among the others are Buckaroo and Kovalica, who are first-up since the Melbourne Cup and worked together between races at last Thursday’s Randwick Kensington meeting.
“Buckaroo is really good, I have been amazed how many people ask questions about him, he has become quite a popular horse,” Waller said.
“He is very competitive when he races and his spring was amazing. He has come back really well. We chose to give him a longer spell after the Melbourne Cup, which I think they need.
“He runs in the George Ryder, Queen Elizabeth and we could have a look at the Hollindale or Doomben Cup if we needed to.
“Similar for Kovalica. He probably doesn’t have the same brilliance as Buckaroo so he could even go on towards a Q22. He will definitely start in the first two races.”
While the Ranvet Stakes and George Ryder Stakes are Group 1 events, they are support acts on a card headed by the world’s richest two-year-old race and Waller is happy with Wodeton’s condition heading into the Golden Slipper and is hoping for a middle alley at Tuesday’s barrier draw.
“Seven or eight,” Waller said when barrier he’d like to draw before outlining his preferred scenario.
“Midfield, a pair further back one off the fence would be perfect.”
