Champion trainer Waller is on track
Waller has already prepared 122 Sydney winners this season to secure a seventh successive trainers’ premiership.
But he needs to train another 48 winners from the final 26 city meetings to break the all-time record of 169 Sydney wins he set last season.
Waller can keep his stable momentum going in the opener when Sambro ($3.80 favourite) and stablemate Bezzina ($15) clash in the All Too Hard At Vinery Plate (1300m).
The champion trainer, who has a small stable of 23 at Warwick Farm to complement his main Rosehill stable base, describes Sambro as a “nice horse who does a few things wrong” in his races.
“This is the time of year to iron out those issue or maturity problems,’’ Waller said.
“If Sambro wants to stay a colt he has to show us something. Bezzina is a progressive horse having his first start who should improve as a three-year-old.’’
Monasterio is the $4.60 favourite for the closer, the Tab.com.au Handicap (1600m), for which Waller has a strong entry with Miss Ballantine ($6) and Wave Reviews ($8) as support.
Waller said Monasterio has done well since his eyecatching first-up second to Nemrud at Kembla Grange, Miss Ballantine is fitter for two runs from a spell and former English galloper Wave Reviews makes his Australian debut after trialling nicely behind Egyptian Symbol at Rosehill.
“Monasterio has come back a stronger horse this time in,’’ Waller said.
“It has been frustrating with Miss Ballantine on the wet tracks but she will improve on a firmer surface. Wave Reviews seems to go quite well and it will be interesting to see how he performs.’’
Waller’s other runners include Queen Of Heights, who resumes in the TAB Plate (1300m). Queen Of Heights hasn’t raced since her debut nearly a year ago.