On a day champion Winx makes her highly anticipated return to racing in Sydney, her trainer Chris Waller will have a strong hand in feature races in Melbourne.
Waller’s representatives at Flemington include three-year-old colt Lean Mean Machine in the Group One Lightning (1000m).
Lean Mean Machine is first-up from a spell in the weight-for-age sprint while Waller also has other talented three-year-olds in important support races on the program.
Verry Elleegant makes her first appearance for the stable in the Group Three The Vanity (1400m) for three-year-old fillies having recently been transferred from the disqualified Darren Weir.
Verry Elleegant won the Ethereal Stakes (1800m) last spring and is first-up since being unplaced as one of the leading fancies in the VRC Oaks (2500m).
“She has settled in well since joining the stable,” Waller said.
“She did have a solid gallop on Monday morning and worked very well.
“She is a filly that we will be looking forward to racing in some big races for the three-year-old fillies through the autumn.”
In the Group Three C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) for three-year-old colts and geldings Waller has three of the main chances, Adana, Ringerdingding and Performer.
Lean Mean Machine finished third in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington at the end of his spring campaign and Waller believes the colt has matured since.
The colt is chasing a valuable Group One win this campaign, with the Lightning and Newmarket Handicap his first two planned starts.
“I am hoping to keep the speed in him because not only would he be competitive tomorrow in the Lightning, in three weeks’ time he looks very well suited in the Newmarket,” Waller said.
