Written by Paul Vettise
Expatriate New Zealand trainer Chris Waller knows only too well that the Kiwi-bred stayers can go the extra mile and with Patrick Erin (NZ) (Gallant Guru) he’s looking to hammer that point home in the Southern Hemisphere’s most famous test of endurance.
The champion Sydney trainer welcomed the White Robe Lodge graduate with open arms earlier this year off the back of Group 1 success with another product of the Anderton family’s South Island nursery in the veteran Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}).
Marathon marvel
The rugged gelding has run no less than nine times at 3200 metres with a victory and two G1 Sydney Cup placings to his credit and he has finished third and fifth in his G1 Melbourne Cup attempts.
Patrick Erin was trained by Brian and Shane Anderton to win 10 races before they decided hefty weights and limited staying opportunities meant he was much better off in Australia.
The gelding made his sixth appearance for Waller in Saturday’s G1 The Heineken Metropolitan on Saturday and thoughts turned to the biggest staying prize of all after he put away stablemate Brimham Rocks (GB) (Fastnet Rock}).
“Patrick Erin was sent to me from New Zealand and I’m grateful, they are tough horses when they get up to a suitable distance.” – Chris Waller.
“Patrick Erin was sent to me from New Zealand and I’m grateful, they are tough horses when they get up to a suitable distance,” Waller said. “He’s a horse we’re proud of and it’s a pretty special win.
“Maybe we’ll be looking at something better now. The St Leger is here is two weeks and then the Cups in Melbourne.
“Two miles will suit him and the first Tuesday in November is looking good.”
“Two miles will suit him and the first Tuesday in November is looking good.” – Chris Waller.
Patrick Erin was in the leading division throughout and his well-timed finish halted a frustrating run for rider Corey Brown.
“I’ve had a run of seconds and thirds so getting down to the light weight (51kg) was worthwhile,” he said.
“We landed fifth or sixth and when the speed went out of the race we got shuffled back, but once the gaps opened up he picked up.
“He’s a lovely horse who travelled over from New Zealand and he deserved to get a big one.”
