Waller stars set to trial this week
Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) and Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) are the headline acts of champion trainer Chris Waller's all-start team scheduled to barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Friday.
It might be mid-winter in Sydney but this is the time of year when Waller starts to get busy with his spring carnival contenders.
"I like to be well ahead, it suits me to get them up early rather than over-training them later,'' Waller explained.
The Hall of Fame trainer's super mares will be joined by the likes of Group One-winning stablemates Ohope Wins, Lady Shenandoah and Autumn Boy at Friday's trial session.
Waller is a stickler for routine and it is expected Autumn Glow and Aeliana will have two barrier trials and most likely an exhibition gallop before they resuming racing later in August.
"They are both great,'' Waller said of Autumn Glow and Aeliana.
"They both had a gallop on Saturday morning and James (McDonald) has been coming in to ride them.''
Autumn Glow is being readied to resume in the Gr.1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 22.
Waller also hasn't locked in Aeliana's preparation for her main spring carnival target, the Group 1 $6 million Cox Plate (2000m) at Flemington on October 31, but the trainer hinted the mare might race exclusively in Melbourne this spring.
"Aeliana could easily go to the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (Caulfield, 1400m, August 29) because I would like to keep them (mares) apart if possible,'' he said.
Dual Oaks heroine Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park) will trial Friday with Waller suggesting a race like the Gr.1 A$750,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3 could be a suitable target.
