Bumper day for Waller
Chris Waller finished with six winners in three states on a huge day for the Sydney-based trainer.
Waller collected a G2 double at Rosehill with Lean Mean Machine (Zoustar {Aus}) and Invincibella (I am Invincible {Aus}), while Zourkhan (Ire) (Sharamdal {USA}) completed a Rosehill treble with an easy win in the Iron Jack H.
Invincibella's win in the Irresistible Pools Sheraco S was part of quinella for Waller with Noire (Foxwedge {Aus}) beaten a nose by her stablemate. Both raced in Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds colours.
“They are the ones you don’t really mind which way the photo goes, well done to Denise Martin, she’s a tireless worker in her field and I’m so grateful to be training for her, it was a very good result,” Waller said.
"She’s been a really good horse," he said of Invincibella. "She’s just gradually taken steps all the way through her career and that’s what an owner wants and that’s what a punter sitting at home wants. She very rarely lets us down if she gets condition to suit, doesn’t always happen, but she’s an exciting horse to train.”
The same colours were also to the fore for Waller at Moonee Valley where The Avenger (Smart Missle {Aus}) won a BM78 race, while My Guiliano (Choisir {Aus}) and Zumbelina (Stratum (Aus}) were victorious at Doomben.
Internationals land in Melbourne
The first wave of internationals have arrived in Melbourne and are in quarantine at Werribee.
The Charlie Appleby-trained trio of Jungle Cat (IRE) (Iffraaj {GB}), Folkswood (GB) (Exceed And Excel) and Blair House (IRE) (Pivotal {GB}) landed on Saturday morning and reportedly all travelled well.
Jungle Cat's initial target is the G1 Rupert Clarke S., on September 22, the same day Folkswood will contest the G3 Naturalism S., at Caulfield.
Blair House is to contest the G1 Underwood S., also at Caulfield, on September 30.
“We think all three horses will be suited to the races we have chosen for them,” Appleby said.
“Our team are enjoying a very successful season in Europe, and we are hoping we can maintain the momentum on our visit this year to Australia.”
Jungle Cat has not run since he won the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night while Folkswood, who won last year's Listed Cranbourne Cup and finished third to Winx in the G1 Cox Plate, and Blair House, who beat Benbatl in the G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan, have also not raced since March.
Plenty more to come
Land Of Plenty (Stratum) continued his march toward the top grade with a resounding victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The progressive 5-year-old overcame a wide alley with aplomb to post the fifth victory of his career in the Listed Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank S. and confirm plans for a tilt at higher honours.
Land Of Plenty had finished an encouraging second at his previous appearance when resuming in the Listed Regal Roller S., at Caulfield.
“He ran great first-up and to tell you the truth I was worried that he’d have to go back and then round the field up,” Weir said.
“He got going at the right time and he’s on a path toward the Rupert Clarke and the Toorak.”
Land Of Plenty settled toward the back of the field under rider Mark Zahra, who set him alight 600 metres from homer and they swooped down the outside to beat stablemate Peaceful State (Animal Kingdom {USA}).
“They went quickly early and then they bunched up down the side,” Zahra said. “He was travelling all the way and put them away. Under a light weight in the Rupert Clarke he’d be a very good hope.”
Land of Plenty was one of six winners for Weir across Moonee Valley, Kilmore and Morphettville on Saturday.
Marsh takes first NZ 2YO race
Sai Fay (NZ) (Rios {NZ}) showed a never say die attitude to win the Wanganui Steelformers Juvenile Plate, New Zealand's first 2YO race of the season,
Unbeaten in two trials, the youngster jumped well to sit outside the leader and he took control soon after straightening.
He was challenged and clearly headed by the filly First Rock (NZ) (El Roca) 150 metres from home, but not to be denied he rallied strongly to make a perfect start to his racing career.
“He’s so honest, he just loves the game,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He’s a relaxed horse and it was a very game run. He looked well and truly beaten before he kicked back.”
Avilius back next week
Godolphin has confirmed Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) will run in next Saturday's G3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on course towards the G1 Metropolitan.
The 5-year-old import is unbeaten in Australia and Paul Reid, assistant trainer at Goldolphin, said he remains on course for next week's race at Randwick.
"He is just coming along nice and steady. He is a horse at home that only does what he has to do. He is a pretty cool customer," said Reid.
"He looks great, the three weeks between runs is perfect and it looks a really nice race for him there on Saturday. They are tough horses these imports and just goes through the motions."
Group test for in-form mare
Capable mare Art Deco (NZ) (Road To Rock) warmed up for a black type test in seven days’ time when she romped to an open handicap success at Wanganui on Saturday.
Under stable apprentice Billy Pin, she sat behind the pace and once clear she bolted up for the seventh win of her 23-start career.
“She’s flying and that was a great ride by the kid, he used his head and got off the fence so he didn’t get pocketed,” trainer Allan Sharrock said.
“She’ll run in the mile next week, I’ve only ever backed her up once and she won.?
The race Sharrock has in mind for Art Deco is the G3 Boehringer Ingelheim 1600 at Awapuni.
A half-sister to the Listed winners How Good Is He (Fasliyev {USA}) and Winter King (One Cool Cat {USA}), the 6-year-old is out of Something Special (Bletchingly).
