Chris Waller’s good fortune at the Golden Slipper barrier draw hasn’t extended to the Group 1 The Galaxy with his sole runner, Generosity, poised to jump from the widest gate.
With first reserve Catch The Glory the only horse drawn wider, Generosity will start from the outside alley in 14 if the emergencies don’t run.
Six of the past 20 winners of The Galaxy (1100m) have drawn double-figure alleys, although only one, Russian Revolution in 2017, scored from barrier 14.
Generosity will have the advantage of champion jockey James Mcdonald, and she arrives at Saturday’s feature sprint in winning form after edging out last year’s Golden Slipper winner Marhoona on resumption in the Challenge Stakes (1000m).
The five-year-old started a $10 chance that day, but while she snuck under the guard of most punters, Waller wasn’t surprised.
“No. We picked the race and then chose not to run in other races, so it was good to see the result,” Waller said.
“She has promised a good win. She has been unlucky in some good races, so when she got out in clear air, it was good to see her do it.”
Doing her early racing in Perth, Generosity was placed in the 2025 The Quokka (1200m) before underlining her potential with a closing fifth in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in May.
Subsequently transferring to Waller’s yard, she wasn’t disgraced behind Lady Shenandoah in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) in September, before placing behind top sprinters Joliestar and Briasa in The Shorts (1100m) and getting within two lengths of winner Rothfire in the Sydney Stakes (1200m).
A Listed performer up to 1400m, Generosity’s speed over shorter trips has Waller keeping an open mind on her best distance.
“When we got her, we thought, we’ll pick out a 1300 or 1400 metre ‘good race’,” Waller said.
“But she has actually been quite sharp.”
Last year’s T J Smith Stakes victor Briasa makes his much-anticipated return in the Galaxy and has posted a brace of impressive barrier trials wins in preparation.
Boasting a dynamic fresh record, Briasa will carry 58.5kg and if triumphant will become the highest-weighted horse to score in the past 20 years with Eduardo (2021) and Temple Of Boom (2012), who both carried 57kg, the only sprinters to successfully cart more than 55.5kg during that period.
