Two reversals of form and some divine intervention are on Sydney trainer Chris Waller’s Doomben Cup wish list as he tries to win the race for the third time.
Although Waller has five runners in the Group One weight-for-age race, he doesn’t have the favourite with the Gai Waterhouse-trained Pornichet heading markets at $4.
But Waller does have the utmost faith in at least three of his horses – Moriarty, Foreteller and to a lesser extent I’m Imposing – figuring in the finish.
“Moriarty, Foreteller, I’m Imposing and Hawkspur have all been aimed at the race,” Waller said.
“So I’m expecting some big improvements, especially from Moriarty and Foreteller. I think they are genuine winning chances.”
I’m Imposing did the best of Waller’s runners in the Hollindale Stakes when the greybeard of Sydney’s premier stable stable ran third to Leebaz, one place ahead of Foreteller.
Moriarty was beaten more than four lengths into 10th place while Hawkspur ran well below standard to beat one horse home.
Waller said the $650,000 race was an afterthought for Weary and Hawkspur was out of form.
“With Weary it’s a very important thing about the Brisbane carnival that you can’t just go up there because you’re the best horse and expect to win,” he said.
“You need to have a sense of timing.
“As for Hawkspur, he is going terrible … he needs a small miracle to turn his form around.”
A Wagga Wagga Gold Cup placing described by her trainer as “an outstanding effort” has connections convinced Gypsy Diamond can post her first Group One win in the Cup.
“She should be right in the race on Saturday. Gypsy Diamond beat Leebaz in the JRA Plate (at Randwick) two runs back and Leebaz came out and won the Hollindale Stakes at his last start,” Snowden said.
“Then she wanted to pull in the Wagga Cup before getting beaten just on a length into third place. She gave plenty of weight to every runner in the race and I thought her effort was outstanding.”
Melbourne jockey Craig Williams will partner Gypsy Diamond in one of his rare rides for the Snowden stable.
