Waller Trained Kiwi Breds Looking to Topple Zaaki

Media Release - Thursday May 19

Chris Waller is hoping to upset the apple cart in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m).

Polly Grey will lead the Waller charge - image Steve Hart

The leading Sydney trainer will line-up a quartet of runners, including three New Zealand-breds, against short-priced favourite Zaaki.

Polly Grey and Kukeracha finished second and third respectively behind Zaaki in the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) last start, while fellow Kiwi-bred Kolding will be looking to recapture form on Saturday, but Waller said he will only start if the track improves from its heavy rating.


"It's going to be a tough race," Waller said. 

"I'm not expecting to beat Zaaki, but Polly Grey is racing well, she showed that last start and she is probably in the best form of her career. 

"(But) I think he had a bit in reserve last start, he will probably improve with the run and we saw how dominant he was in the race last year." 

Polly Grey is an $8 chance and the only one of Zaaki's nine rivals rated at single-figure odds. 

She is sure to relish the wet conditions with all 11 of her career wins coming on rain-affected tracks. 

Advertisement

Polly Grey was initially trained in New Zealand by Kylie Fawcett, who remains in the ownership, and won six of her 17 starts in her homeland, including the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m).

Waller said stablemate Kukeracha has continued to thrive in Brisbane, but like Polly Grey, is probably racing for the minor spoils. 

"Kukeracha seems to love Queensland," Waller said.

"He won the Queensland Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) last winter, his two runs up there this autumn have been really good and 2000m should be no problem."

Kukeracha was bred by former Waikato Stud vet Dr Chris Phillips and purchased out of the Matamata nursery’s 2019 draft at Karaka on Morgan’s behalf for $130,000 by bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett Colt Salutes at Sandown
Overdue for a win, talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Yamashita’s Gold shook off maiden status with a determined victory at Sandown on Wednesday for the Gavid Bedggood stable.
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Black Type Potential for Zoustar Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy have  plans to tackle Black Type races with promising Zoustar colt Prestar, who scored his second win from just five starts at Randwick on Wednesday.
Last to First – He’s Seriously Hot!
Sent to the paddock after just one placing from five starts at two that included three attempts in stakes company, Siriusly Hot returned a gelding at Randwick and it certainly made a difference!
Sires With Winners - Monday August 25
Here is the full list of 12 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Was it that Unusual? Who is the Oldest?
There was a lot of attention in the media regarding the age of Australian Horse of the Year elect Via Sistina (IRE) when she returned to racing for a new campaign at Randwick last Saturday, but was it really that uncommon to see an eight year-old G1 winner?
Commemorative Retired to Stud
Watching the progress of Godolphin horses as they start stepping our for their new trainers has been interesting to say the least and will get more so this weekend when we see Tom Kitten go around in the Group I MRC Memsie Stakes at Caulfield, but one horse we won’t be seeing again is Commemorative.