Guy Walter will have only light representation on Chipping Norton Stakes day – a meeting the trainer’s former champion Tie The Knot dominated during his illustrious career.
Walter prepared Tie The Knot to win four straight Group One Chipping Nortons at Warwick Farm from 1999-2002 and despite not having a feature race runner this year, it’s a day the local trainer looks forward to.
“It’s great to have Group One racing at Warwick Farm, it’s probably the day of the year as far as Warwick Farm goes,” he said.
“And the Chipping Norton Stakes, it has an illustrious list of winners. It’s a good horse’s race and I’m sure this year will be no exception.”
The Chipping Norton (1600m) has nine individual Group One winners among the 13 acceptors including weight-for-age warhorse Theseo from the Gai Waterhouse stable.
Theseo is striving to become the ninth multiple winner of the event following his narrow success last year.
Walter’s only representatives on the day are outsiders Skyerush in the Listed Wiggle Quality (1400m) and Cyber Crime in a restricted 2200m event.
Skyerush was a revelation last winter, winning four straight races in town ranging from 1800m to 2400m.
The five-year-old mare resumed in the Listed Triscay Stakes (1200m) on February 19 and was beaten 4-1/4 lengths when 10th to the impressive Kiss From A Rose.
“Skyerush has come back well but it’s still too short for her,” Walter said.
The mare is being aimed at staying races during the winter with the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) likely to be her main target.
“Probably we will look at races like the Lord Mayor’s Cup and Winter Cup with her,” Walter said.
Cyber Crime, entered for the Alconex Fire Handicap, has had six starts including a last-start Gosford Maiden win over 2100m.
“He’s facing a steep rise in class but he did win well at Gosford in what was a pretty weak race,” Walter said.
“But he’s showing at least that he’s got a bit of stamina.”
AAP TURF
