Robusto (Tommy Berry, outside, all pink) trained by Chris Waller wins at Randwick on December 23, 2023 – photo by Martin King/Sportpix copyright
The more precocious two-year-olds might be in the paddock, but the final two months of the Sydney season are renowned for unearthing late-blooming stars of the future.
Ozzmosis launched his career during the post-carnival period 12 months ago before going on the win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring, while Doncaster Mile hero Celestial Legend didn’t have his first run until May last year.
Chris Waller is hopeful at least a couple among his quintet of two-year-old runners in Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill can follow a similar trajectory, especially Extreme Choice colt Emirate.
A $1 million yearling purchase, Emirate posted a determined debut win on a heavy track at Warwick Farm earlier this month and Waller is keen to raise the bar to Saturday company before putting him in the paddock with a view to bigger targets.
“The plan in giving him another start is to try to lift his experience and learn a bit more about him ahead of the spring,” Waller said.
“I think he will measure up against some good horses in the spring as a three-year-old.
“He’s got a nice draw (barrier one) and he should be very hard to beat again.”
Waller will also saddle two juveniles for Hermitage Thoroughbreds, filly Concordia Wind who heads to town after claiming a Gosford maiden at her first start, and Mr Artemisia, who has finished runner-up in his only two appearances.
Both have earned themselves a shot at Saturday grade and Waller isn’t ruling out a belated Queensland carnival bid for the latter, who holds a nomination for the JJ Atkins (1600m).
“She (Concordia Wind) was very good on debut in a much easier race than Saturday, but she did win well and 1300 will suit her from the nice draw (barrier seven),” Waller said.
“The other horse is drawn wide (barrier 14), but he’s still a chance of getting to Queensland because I do think he’s a miler. It was just disappointing to see the draw.
“He could easily be a Spring Champion (Stakes) horse.”
Emirate is a clear cut $2.60 favourite to take his record to two wins from as many starts, with Mr Artemisia at $9 and Concordia Wind an $11 chance.
Great White Shark ($23) and Declichy Boulevard ($34) round out’s Waller’s juvenile hand.