Chris Waller will have a typically robust team for the two-day carnival at Scone but among the horses he is most looking forward to seeing step out is the resuming Sun God.
The five-year-old will be among up to 18 runners for the champion trainer when he kicks off his latest preparation in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on Saturday.
The European import has won three of his 14 starts in Australia, including his most recent when scoring over a mile at Randwick in February in a campaign which provided some valuable insights for connections.
While Sun God has won over 2400m in England, Waller feels he has different strengths in the Australian racing environment and that his form indicates he will be better kept to shorter journeys.
“Sun God, I’m looking forward to him resuming,” Waller said.
“Last ‘prep’, we learned that a mile sees him out. It will be interesting to see how he runs fresh, and he has drawn well.”
Sun God has won first-up and has barrier two in the capacity field of 16 plus four emergencies.
Waller will also be represented in the race by the in-form Captain Furai, while Waterford is a dual acceptor for Friday’s Scone Cup (1600m) and more likely to take his place there.
“Captain Furai, he has a slightly tricky draw (barrier 10) but gee, he’s racing consistently,” Waller said.
“He needs luck from that draw, but he has trained on really well. He’ll be four weeks between runs so he’s nice and fresh.
“Waterford will most likely run in the Cup. That’s our preference.”
In contrast, the trainer is leaning towards Saturday’s Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) for Chica Mojito, who has drawn gate 12 in the fillies and mares’ feature and barrier 18 in the Cup.
Overall, Waller says luck in the run will be crucial on Saturday, given the majority of the 10 races have attracted full fields.
“They’re big fields and it’s a good, fair track, but you need a bit of luck,” he said.
The only race which isn’t at capacity is the Midway Handicap (1700m) which will have 15 of a possible 16 runners.
