Wet track should suit import

SYDNEY: The certainty of a wet track at Randwick has boosted Chris Waller’s confidence import One Foot In Heaven can break his Australian duck.

The former French galloper will be one of three Wallertrained runners in the St Leger (2600m) today, joining Metropolitan Handicap winner Patrick Erin and Libran.

But given Patrick Erin rises 8.5kg on his Metropolitan win and Libran’s best form is on firm ground, Waller believes conditions are ripe for One Foot In Heaven to get his first win in Australia. The 7yrold has struck firm tracks in his five Australian runs, his best a laststart fourth to Ace High in the Hill Stakes.

He is a fourtime winner on soft ground in France.

‘‘We saw a glimpse of some better form from him last start and he is crying out for a bit of give in the track so Saturday will suit,’’ Waller said.

‘‘It was a much better run last start. He has won over 2400 metres in France, so clearly he is going to be very hard to beat.’’

Patrick Erin faced a tough task with 59.5kg but Waller felt the race would be ideal with a Melbourne campaign in mind. The horse is likely to miss out on a Caulfield Cup start.

‘‘It is a slight concern with the weight but he has certainly come through his Metropolitan run well and this . . . will only be his fourth run for the preparation.

‘‘It is still our intention to get him down to Melbourne and he may need to run in a race like the Lexus, hoping to get a start in the Melbourne Cup.’’

But Waller was all but cursing the wet weather for Libran.

‘‘His heavytrack form is a concern.’’ — AAP