Group II performances pivotal to spring targets

Tom Baddock - Thursday September 21

Chris Waller will use Saturday's results at Rosehill to decide the spring paths of two high class mares.

Advertisement
Omei Sword Photo: Steve Hart

Stakes winners Dawn Wall and Omei Sword will have their immediate future decided by their performances on Saturday.

A winner of the Kembla Grange Classic and the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet last preparation Dawn Wall produced an exceptional first-up performance over 1400m, finishing second behind Washington Heights.

"It was a great first-up run from a horse that did a great job as a three-year-old," Waller said.

"She won two Group races as a three-year-old and stamped her authority so it was no real surprise to see her come back so well.

"She did a really good job as a three-year-old, failed in the Oaks but I don't think she's an extreme distance horse.

"She's draw well in barrier three and Corey Brown rides with 53kg and it's a nice stepping stone to racing against the older horses on the back of a very good first-up run.

"It's a Group II and after this we might aim a bit higher.

"There's no great expectations or pressure but if she was to perform well on Saturday I'd suggest a race like the Toorak would be suitable."

The four-year-old is $3.60 second-favourite with Bet365 to claim win number five, while nominations are yet be released for the Group I Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on October 14.

Group I placed stablemate Omei Sword has always promised the world but has yet to reach her potential and has raced without luck at her two resuming from a bleeding attack which saw the mare mandatorily spelled.

"Forget her first run, she just about fell and last start she was back last three-wide doing it pretty tough so they are fair excuses," Waller said.

"There's no excuses on Saturday.

"She's drawn well, got a good jockey and the set-weights and penalties will suit so there shouldn't be any excuses.

"Where she goes will depend on her run on Saturday.

"She's one of the better horses that I've trained but she's had a set-back and needs to get the points back on the board."

Omei Sword will jump from barrier two in the Group II Golden Pendent with Hugh Bowman in the saddle and is $4.60 to return to the winner's circle.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Winning Debut for Expensive Satono Aladdin
Promising colt Yamato Satona made an impressive start to his racing career at Arawa Park on Sunday, kicking off a winning treble for his trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
One to Watch – Scone
With the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas to be run  this Saturday at Caulfield it only seems fitting that we find a ‘One to Watch’ on Monday, whose dam and grand-dam both won the iconic race for fillies.
Promising Winner for Hello Youmzain – Full Sister NZB Ready to Run
Young Cambridge Stud based Hello Youmzain (Fr) added a new stakes -winner to his tally in France over the weekend with two year-old colt Dostoievsky winning the Listed Prix Saraca at Chantilly and on Monday produced a promising maiden winner at Kembla.
Antipodean (NZ) Excels in NZB Ready to Run Sale Championship
After a couple of unlucky runs in big races this season, Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) turned his fortunes around at Selangor on Sunday with a deserved victory in the RM300,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Championship (1400m). 
Globe Half-Brother in 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale
NZB had more than one reason to celebrate the front-running triumph by Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in the A$1m Group One Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 13
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Interesting set of trials at Rosehill this morning with Golden Rose winner Beiwacht let loose to stretch his legs with a thoroughly impressive well held win, while there were two heats for the 2YO’s featuring a couple of expensive colts by Wootton Bassett (GB) and I Am Invincible.
Twain wins G3 Sweynesse Stakes
It seemed as though it would be only a matter of time before Twain added a stakes victory to his name and the rising star did just that at Rotorua on Sunday, powering late to take out the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m).
Kiwi Breeder Celebrating Autumn Boy Guineas Triumph
High class three-year-old Autumn Boy may not have a New Zealand suffix next to his name, but his Kiwi roots run deep.
Ka Ying Rising Ready to Rumble
Plenty of drama has surrounded Ka Ying Rising ahead of Saturday’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick, but trainer David Hayes assures everything is fine with the Kiwi-bred sprinting sensation.