Only three Group 1 races remain for the 2022-23 season, and it is tight at the top as to who will win train the most winners.
Chris Waller, with 12 wins to date, currently heads the list from James Cummings (11) with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace (10) in third place.
Waller will look to cement his place at the top of the ladder with three runners in the first of two Group 1 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday, the JÂ JÂ Atkins (1600m) which will be followed by the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m)Â in which he does not have a runner.
Only the Maher and Eustace stable have runners in both races.
Waller said his three two-year-olds in the J J Atkins, Chrysaor, Congregation and Tannhauser, are all very good colts that come from different backgrounds.
Starting his career in Queensland, which included a start in the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast in January, Chrysaor started his current campaign with a win at Gosford on May 6 before being an unlucky third in the Group 2 BTC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm on May 27.
“He had no luck at all in the Sires’ due to a good barrier and not being able to get out,” Waller said.
“He has drawn wide on Saturday, and will need a bit of racing luck from there, but his work has been very good and he will appreciate the mile.”
Congregation enters Saturday’s race having won his only two starts at Canterbury and Rosehill. He is stepping up from 1300m to 1600m, but Kerrin Mcevoy is sticking with him.
“He has the pedigree, the good looks and a great attitude along with plenty of ability,” Waller said.
“The query I have with this horse is whether it is all too soon with the seven-day back-up, but he has a nice draw and a good jockey who is in form who has won both starts on the horse.
“Not only will this horse be competitive on Saturday, but I also can’t wait to see his career unfold.”
Tannhauser earned a trip to Queensland with his win over 1400m at Randwick on May 27 and will have the services of James Mcdonald on Saturday.
“He has trained on well, settled in nicely at the Gold Coast stable and he has a good barrier draw on Saturday with a very good jockey aboard,” Waller said.
“He is a well-bred colt that looks the part and gets his chance in a Group 1 race as a two-year-old.”
