Aeliana primed for Cox Plate challenge
New Zealand-bred mare Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) will spearhead Chris Waller’s bid for a seventh Cox Plate victory when she tackles Saturday’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Flemington.
The talented mare pleased Waller in her final serious workout at Flemington on Tuesday morning, with regular rider James McDonald aboard ahead of the A$6 million feature.
Aeliana worked over 1000m before finishing strongly over the final 400m, leaving Waller confident she is ready to peak.
“It was good, strong work and the recovery was good afterwards, so it ticked all the boxes in terms of preparing for Saturday’s Cox Plate,” Waller said.
“Aeliana is ready to peak after a good semi-final run last start.”
Waller was also pleased with stablemate Birdman, who worked under race rider Ben Melham.
“His fitness gave out with 100 metres to go last start, so that will bring him on nicely for the Cox Plate,” Waller said.
Waller believes Aeliana is thriving as the spring progresses, having previously taken time to come into her coat at this stage of the season.
“She just gradually finds her way through the winter and the spring starts to bring everything together,” he said. “She’s a very healthy horse.”
This year’s Cox Plate will be staged at Flemington while Moonee Valley undergoes redevelopment, a change Waller believes will provide a fair test for all runners.
“The horses just race so well at Flemington. We’re lucky to have a track like this to be able to use while Moonee Valley is being rebuilt,” he said.
“We’ll make the most of it on a big, roomy track with hopefully no excuses.”
Waller expects a genuine tempo, with the Ciaron Maher-trained pair Light Infantry Man and Land Legend among those likely to ensure a searching stamina test.
“A real tough Cox Plate would suit Aeliana and might test Birdman, but both horses are being prepared with that in mind,” he said.
“They’ll be a little bit fitter than they’ve been in their last couple of runs. They’re ready to go, but it will certainly sort them out. It’ll be a real stamina test.”
The New Zealand-born trainer has enjoyed remarkable success in the Cox Plate through champion mares Winx and Via Sistina, and the race holds particular significance for him.
His earliest memories of the feature were shaped by the famous 1986 battle between New Zealand gallopers Bonecrusher and Waverley Star.
“Waverley Star and Bonecrusher put it on the map for most people my age,” Waller said.
“Everybody has a starting point with racing and that was mine in terms of a Cox Plate.”
Waller will rely on Aeliana and Birdman as his two representatives after confirming Autumn Boy will remain in Sydney for the Gr.1 Golden Eagle (1500m).
“There’s plenty of depth there. The three-year-olds are very classy and coming into the race with great form,” he said.
“There’s going to be plenty of speed in the race and it’s a weight-for-age contest. It’ll be one for the ages, that’s for sure.”
