SPORT Waller’s Hero in Festival of class

SYDNEY’S champion trainer Chris Waller maintains age is just a number when it comes to his racehorses after sevenyear-old grey My Nordic Hero scored a career-best win at Rosehill Gardens yesterday.

My Nordic Hero might be at an age when most horses are past their best but he is going better than ever, as evidenced by his fast finishing effort to win the Group 3 $160,000 Festival Stakes (1500m).

“We don’t worry too much about age with our horses,’’ Waller revealed.

“As long as their body language says they want to run and I’ve found that is the best way to train horses.

“I didn’t have a choice when I started (training) and I haven’t lost that.

“Older horses have been pretty good to me and if you look after them they will look after you.’’

My Nordic Hero, confidently backed into $3.70 favouritism and aided by a perfectly timed ride from Hugh Bowman, ran down a game Goodfella ($6.50) to win by a half-length with Chamois Road ($13) three-quarters of a length away third.

Bowman said My Nordic Hero was a rejuvenated racehorse this campaign.

“His effort and desire made all the difference in the end,’’ Bowman said.

Waller conceded he has learned from past mistakes with My Nordic Hero.

“We probably got it wrong with My Nordic Hero last preparation,’’ Waller said.

“He had been off the scene for a couple of years and even though he was racing well, he wasn’t winning, so we stepped him up in distance.

“Older horses have been pretty good to me”

“But this preparation, his first-up run was terrific, so we thought let’s keep him fresh and run him here.’’

My Nordic Hero showed the benefits of a different training routine in the Festival Stakes, his sixth win from 18 starts.

Waller confirmed My Nordic Hero will now lead his stable charge on Sydney’s premier summer race, the Group 2 $250,000 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on December 15.

“The Randwick mile will suit this horse,’’ Waller said.

“At this stage I hope to have My Nordic Hero, Sambro and Torgersen in the Villiers.’’

My Nordic Hero will attempt to become the fourth horse this century to complete the Festival Stakes-Villiers Stakes double after Ike’s Dream (2004), Utzon (2006) and Monton (2011).

Waller prepared a hat-trick of wins in successive Rosehill races yesterday, including a stakes double with My Nordic Hero and ATC Cup winner Exoteric. Mazaz’s win was the middle leg of the stable treble.

My Nordic Hero gave Waller his second Festival Stakes win after I’m Imposing’s 2014 win.

I’m Imposing then ran a close second in the Villiers before winning the Summer Cup (2000m) and Waller suggested My Nordic Hero will follow a similar program in December.