Waller looks to tackle sprints

CHRIS Waller’s rebuilding phase has paid dividends over the spring with the Sydney trainer leading the way with Group 1 victories.

After the final spring carnival meeting at Flemington on Saturday, Waller heads Australia’s Group 1 tally with eight winners for the season.

Winx played her part with four Group 1 wins, including last month’s Cox Plate.

But Waller is not resting on his laurels and says he is adjusting his focus with more sprinters coming into the stable while he is also paying more attention to early staying types.

“I can see weaknesses in the stable,” he said. “I’ve never had a runner in the (VRC) Oaks before, partly because it’s so early, so is that something we need to look at.

“It’s a Group 1 race and while I’ve won the Derby with Preferment, we’ve only had a few runners in the race before.”

With sprinting attracting bigger pay days through the The Everest, Waller says he is assembling an arsenal of quality young horses.

They include three-yearolds Zousain and Lean Mean Machine along with Caulfield Guineas winner The Autumn Sun.

Waller did not have a runner in Saturday’s VRC Sprint Classic, although he did consider Coolmore Stud placegetters Zousain and Lean Mean Machine for the Group 1 sprint.

“I thought it was a really strong race this year,” he said. “So I thought I’d keep our boys fresh and away from them, and join up with them next year.

“I’m starting to assemble some really good sprinters, which is where I think is where we’ve been a little bit soft.

“The money until The Everest came along had been a little softer unless you’ve got a good colt, of course.

“Our whole stable has been through a rebuilding stage and we’ve come out of it now and we’re still going towards having better horses.

“Everyone has good runs and you’ve got to make sure your good runs are for longevity as well.”