Few people can boast having trained a winner for His Majesty The King, but Chris Waller can now tick that off his bucket last after the enigmatic Chalk Stream emerged triumphant in the Listed Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm.
Waller has achieved more than most in racing, highlighted by his association with champion Winx, but he continues to produce career-firsts.
He established a special rapport with the late Queen Elizabeth, who gave him Chalk Stream to train last year, and such was his relationship with the monarch he was one of just a handful of Australians invited to her funeral, although he was unable to attend.
Chalk Stream’s ownership was transferred to King Charles III following his mother’s death and the horse finally put his best foot forward on Thursday, circling the field before the corner and bounding clear under Regan Bayliss to comfortably take out the feature race.
Waller wasn’t on-course but his assistant Charlie Duckworth said Sydney’s champion trainer would be humbled by Chalk Stream’s feat.
“Chris has had plenty of highlights in his career but I’d say this would be right up there,” Duckworth said.
“He turned it into a real staying test today and he was dominant.
“It’s a massive thrill to have the horse in training, let alone to go and win a nice race like today.”
Chalk Stream carries the Royal colours of purple with gold braiding, scarlet sleeves, and a gold-fringed black velvet cap.
Duckworth said it was an honour to have a horse in the yard sporting the famous silks.
“They are obviously incredibly special and with the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, and now passed down to the King himself, it’s a very special day and a day which we’ll all remember,” he said.
While Chalk Stream has had a habit of missing the start, he jumped on terms in the Australia Day Cup (2400m) and with a solid tempo up front, Bayliss was content to bide his time and settle the horse back in the field.
The gelding began to creep into the race from the 800 metres and Chalk Stream ($21) ranged up to the leaders on the corner, his superior stamina kicking in as he surged clear to score by three lengths over Spirit Ridge ($4.80 fav) with Military Mission ($6.50) battling on for third.
“Speaking to past jockeys, he’s had little queries about him, little creaks and quirks but gee, he was well behaved today,” Bayliss said.
“When he hit the front at the top of the straight it was going to take a tough one to run him down.”
