Kiwi Bred Looking to Give Waller The Gong

Media Release - Friday November 22

The lure of a one million purse has been too attractive for leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

The expat Kiwi horseman will line-up three runners in the A$1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange on Saturday, including New Zealand-bred gelding Star Of The Seas.

Star of the Seas - Bradley PhotosWaller opted for the race over a trip to Perth with two of his runners, citing the reduced risks involved with racing closer to home.

“The beauty with million dollar races is you can see them coming a fair way out and two of our horses would have normally been in Perth, Mister Sea Wolf and Star Of The Seas,” he said.

“We have decided to stay home to support New South Wales racing and support our own pockets - running for big prize money with less costs and risks involved with the horses travelling.

“That is the reason why Star Of The Seas and Mister Sea Wolf are there, and Asterius is giving his owners the chance to race for $1 million.”

Waller is favouring the chances of Group One performer Star Of The Seas, who ran third behind compatriots Kolding and Te Akau Shark in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).

The Epsom has proven to be a strong form race, with Kolding subsequently winning the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m), while Te Akau Shark ran third in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).

“It’s good form (from the Epsom), and it’s good to see these form lines carrying on further into the spring,” Waller said.

Star Of The Seas finished midfield in the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last start and Waller said he can be forgiven for the run.

“Forget his last run in Melbourne, I am putting that down to racing left-handed.

Advertisement

“He’s back to right-handed and that is the only bad run he has had of his career, so I am hoping he can bounce back.”

The Ocean Park gelding will be partnered by in-form jockey Glen Boss, who rode Kolding, another son of Ocean Park, to victory in the Epsom and Golden Eagle.

“Glen Boss knows his way around town for a big race,” Waller said.

Star Of The Seas is raced by one of Waller’s longest-standing clients, Tony Muollo, a prominent figure in the fishing industry.

The Waller-Muollo combination dates back to the nineties, with another galloper also by the name of Star Of The Seas, a winner of five races, one of the early success stories for Waller when he made the bold move from Foxton in New Zealand to Rosehill.

“Tony has been my biggest supporter right from day one. He brought my first horse, Party Belle, over here,” Waller said.

Saturday’s race brings back memories of Waller’s earlier days in Australia and he said it is good to see big prizemoney offered in provincial New South Wales.

“Any race is good to win, but it’s great to see a million dollar race at Kembla,”
 he said.

“When I first came over from New Zealand as a strapper I remember strapping in an Illawarra Cup and it was worth $150,000, so they certainly haven’t been forgotten, they were still racing for very good prizemoney.

“But it’s great to see a big race and the initiative behind these provincial type races last week and again this week, because they are very important communities for New South Wales, as is the country racing, which is also being looked after.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Widden Stud Sell Climbing Star for $2.1million
Group I winning Zoustar mare Climbing Star started life at Widden Stud as did $5.25million mare Zougotcha and now they will find themselves back together in the paddock at Coolmore after Tom Magnier purchased both of them at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday.
Out of the Park strikes again
Just two months since her purchase off gavelhouse,com, Out of the Park has repaid her $14,000 purchase price and more after striking up two wins and a placing in just four starts.
Blue Gum Farm Announce 2025 Fees
Leading Victorian stud, Blue Gum Farm, is pleased to announce its 2025 stallion roster and service fees, headlined by exciting young sire Sejardan, who will stand at an unchanged fee of $13,750.
US Group I Winner for Zoustar
On a day when Widden Stud’s Zoustar produced the $5.25million top seller Zougotcha at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale he also sired a new Group I winner in North America where King of Gosford won the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (1m) at Santa Anita.
New Ocean Park SW Brings Needed Joy for Cambridge Stud
In what has proved to be a tumultuous and tragic week for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the victory of two-year-old filly Taroni and then underrated mare Pretty To Sea in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie has brought a small measure of joy to the couple.
Widden Purchase MM 2YO Classic Winner for $1.35million
Widden Stud were active at the top end as a vendor at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday and also as a buyer securing Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Skirt the Law for $1.35million.
Oceanex Keeps the Run Going for Ocean Park
We recently stated that few stallions have done more to advance their cause in recent months than Waikato Stud’s Ocean Park and his four-year-old daughter Oceanex didn’t let us down when she proved too good in the $300,000 Group II Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 27
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Karaka Graduate Kolding Thriving Ahead of Golden Eagle
New Zealand-bred galloper Kolding is on song for the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday, according to jockey Glenn Boss.
Alsephina $1.1million and Amazonian Lass $1million
They followed each other through the sale ring at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday with Alsephina selling for $1.1million to Katsumi Yoshida followed by Amazonian Lass for $1million to Nocab Racing Pty Ltd/Kestrel Thoroughbreds.