Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

As the autumn racing carnival comes to a close, it seems only appropriate to base this week’s column on one of the stars of the show. This carnival, 12-time Champion Trainer Chris Waller wowed audiences with six Group 1 autumn carnival winners from five different horses.

Nearing 150 elite-level victories, there are very few accolades Waller hasn’t yet accomplished, however, this autumn he landed a significant feat and in doing so silenced any doubts of his ability to train juveniles.

Who said he wasn’t a 2-year-old trainer?

In 23 seasons, the Kiwi born trainer has saddled almost 20 runners collectively across the three legs of Sydney’s 2-year-old Triple Crown series for a third-placing in each of the G1 Sires' Produce S. (Love And Kisses by Encosta De Lago in 2008) and G1 Champagne S. (Fast And Sexy by Fastnet Rock in 2011).

After 10 seasons without a placing in the autumn 2-year-old feature events, Chris Waller has added yet another string to his bow and debunked any doubts regarding his training versatility.

Of the 17 black-type juvenile races featured during this year’s carnival, Waller saddled five winners or 29 per cent of the races on offer. The only comparable trainer was James Cummings who also prepared five juvenile black-type winners during the carnival including Golden Slipper runner-up, Cylinder (Exceed and Excel).

Table: Chris Waller’s past Triple Crown results

1: The Golden Slipper

Since commencing his Australian training career in 2000, Waller has saddled up 10 runners across six editions of the G1 Golden Slipper S. His first attempt at the lucrative event came in 2012 when he produced G3 Sweet Embrace S. winner Jade Marauder (Fastnet Rock) to finish down the track in 15th.

For the next six seasons Waller wasn’t represented by a runner until Fiesta (I Am Invincible) and Performer lined up in the 2018 event for seventh and 14th respectively. With the exception of last year, Waller has been represented by at least one runner in every edition of the race since 2018 with his best result coming with Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}) who finished fifth in the 2020 edition.

With three chances in this year’s Slipper, by numbers Waller had his best chance of securing a maiden win in the race. Approaching the 600 metres his chances didn’t look favourable with two of his chances in Militarize (Dundeel {NZ}) and Lazzago (Capitalist) virtually pulled out of the race following significant interference. That elusive Slipper victory was left in the hands of Ryan Moore and the promising Snitzel colt Shinzo.

An impressive winner of the G3 Pago Pago S. the week prior, Shinzo was underrated in the market being sent around a $16 chance. The Coolmore-owned colt took no offence to his starting price with a barnstorming rails run to land the feature event over Godolpohin’s short-priced favourite Cylinder and hand Waller his maiden Slipper victory.

An incredibly valuable colt, Waller fielded off the temptation to push on towards the remainder of the Triple Crown and opted to give the horse a spell after a tough first campaign in preparation for his 3-year-old season.

2: The Sires' Produce Stakes

While his Slipper-winning colt was enjoying some well-deserved paddock time, emerging stablemate Militarize put on a dazzling display to land the second leg of the Triple Crown series. An impressive winner on debut, Militarize stuck to his task in the G2 Todman S. to run home for third before suffering considerable interference in the G1 Golden Slipper which resulted in him being pulled out of the race.

Stretching out to a more suitable distance of 1400 metres, the son of Dundeel (NZ) was sent around a $21 outside chance in the G1 Sires' Produce S. Relishing the Heavy conditions, the Newgate/China Horse Club-owned colt swept past his rivals with ease to run away a 3.5l winner and in doing so landed his trainer a maiden win at his seventh attempt of the second leg of the Triple Crown.

3: The Champagne Stakes

Marking the culmination of the 2-year-old Triple Crown, the Champagne S. surprisingly hasn’t been a race on Waller’s radar until now. Being the final leg and first elite juvenile race held over a mile, one would only assume Waller’s training style would suit a race with such conditions.

However, his only other runner in the event came in 2011 with the previously mentioned Fast And Sexy who earned herself a valuable Group 1-placing when finishing third behind the Peter Snowden-trained Helmet.

The market was sure not to miss Militarize this time as he was sent around an even-money favourite to win the final leg of the series. Racing three and four wide, under a patient Joao Moreira ride, the colt overcame tough conditions to win like only the brilliant ones do and provided his trainer with a moment that he will never forget as a Triple Crown-winning trainer.

Opportunity awaits in Brisbane

With the Brisbane Carnival due to commence next week, there are still plenty of opportunities for Waller’s dominance to continue. Of the seven Group 1 events featured across the carnival, Waller has won five of them including a three-time-winning trainer of the G1 JJ Atkins for 2-year-olds.

From 23 attempts, the master trainer has saddled up The Autumn Sun (2018), Press Statement (2015) and Pressday (2010) to win the feature event. It has been a target for some of his most prolific horses and future sires including Brazen Beau, Zoustar and son Zousain who all finished second in their respective attempts.

With plenty of ammunition remaining, Waller is sure to make his mark on the Sunshine State and potentially add another Group 1 2-year-old event to his name for season 2022/23.

A 13th trainers' premiership is looming

Aside from his incredible 2-year-old haul, the Hall of Fame trainer saddled up an additional three elite winners this autumn carnival to bring his current season tally to 11 Group 1 winners to sit equal with James Cummings.

Of his current season’s Group 1 winners, 64 per cent (seven) were produced by 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds while his oldest elite winner was the 7-year-old Caulfield Cup-winning marvel, Durston (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}). Training at least one Group 1 winner across a five-year age bracket is a further testament to Chris Waller’s previously doubted versatility.

Incredibly, Waller’s 11 Group 1 winners this season have been produced by 10 different horses. Flight S.-winning filly, Zougotcha (Zoustar) was the Waller stable's first big-race winner this season and has been followed by No Compromise (NZ) (Pins) (The Metropolitan), Madame Pommery (No Nay Never {USA}) (Thousand Guineas), Durston (Caulfield Cup), Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}) (Victoria Derby), Espiona (Extreme Choice) (Coolmore Classic), Shinzo (Golden Slipper), Lindermann (Lonhro) (Rosehill Guineas), Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) (Queen of the Turf S.) and finally dual Group 1 winner Militarize (Sires' Produce S. and Champagne S.). While James Cummings is currently tied for leading trainer by Group 1 winners, he has been reliant on Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) for his six-time elite-winning haul.

Having one of the largest stables in the country certainly increases the depth of horses to work with, but Chris Waller’s ability to prepare a consistent flow of Group 1 winners at all ages and distances is a feat only the best can accomplish. It is scary to think what the 12-time Champion Trainer could produce in his next 23 training seasons but one thing for sure is his 2-year-old representatives will never be doubted again.

Table: Current season's leading Group 1 trainers