The Group 3 St Leger Stakes, contested over 2600m at Randwick, produced a rare result with champion trainer Chris Waller saddling no less than the first five runners across the line — an incredible feat no matter what the circumstances.
The only moment of pause for Waller was when he had to wait on the outcome of the photo-finish between Travolta, who was trying to hold on, and Etna Rosso, who was closing ground late with each passing stride, with the camera needed to decide the difference in the narrowest of margins.
So close was it that Travolta’s jockey Zac Lloyd did not think he had won the race.
“I was surprised he got the nose down,” admitted Lloyd. “I thought I had him (Etna Rosso) until about the 100m, but Etna Rosso is such a strong stayer … and my horse is very little so, in a photo-finish, I thought I don’t have much chance here, but he must have got a good bob down.
“Before this we thought he was suspect of 2400m and here he is winning over 2600m today. You can only thank one man … Chris Waller!”
Travolta sat just off the speed early as the $2.30 favourite, the William Haggas-trained Sam Hawkens, set the early target.
“I didn’t want to put too much pressure into the race early, but the tempo of the race wasn’t fast. He was in a good rhythm and the idea was to increase where he was comfortable without putting pressure on the European horse … and he was very strong late.”
In essence, it turned out to be an inch-perfect ride by Lloyd.
For the record, these were the runners that created the St Leger Waller whitewash.
Travolta ($6.50) beat Etna Rosso ($21) by a nostril. Soul Of Spain ($5) was in third, just under a length back, with More Felons ($3.70 – fourth) and Asterix ($91 – fifth).
The favourite Sam Hawkens, who was already beaten halfway up the home straight, dropped away to finish out of the placings.
