Waller hoping patience pays with juveniles

Thursday 30 January 2014, 12:59pm

Chris Waller's season tally of city winners in Sydney is almost double that of nearest rival Gai Waterhouse.

With 81 wins, he is on his way to becoming the city's champion trainer for the third year in succession and currently heads the national premiership.

But his success during the 2013-14 term has been achieved without a two-year-old winner.

It's a common theme despite his remarkable success. Last season Waller won 224 races, only eight of them with juveniles.

The Rosehill conditioner admits his focus is on ensuring the longevity of his horses, which means giving two-year-olds time to grow and develop.

To learn at their own pace.

He says he is keen to build on his juvenile record but only with the youngsters who prove their readiness for the pressures of a racing campaign.

"The two-year-olds are something we're always trying to improve on," Waller said.

"When the right one comes along they get there themselves, and that means they train on as older horses as well.

"I'm very conscious of young horses. We have two-year-old races every week and what you don't see are the young horses who don't make it to the races because they've been pushed too hard to get there."

Three of Waller's youngsters have shown enough to warrant a nomination for Saturday's 2014 ATC Membership On Sale Now Sprint (1200m) at Rosehill.

Two of them, Brazen Beau and Country Warrior, were scratched from a tough race at Randwick last weekend after drawing wide, typifying Waller's patient approach.

Only one will make its debut at Rosehill and that decision will be made on race morning.

"Only one will run. I've got Nash Rawiller booked for both so one will wait for an easier race, probably a midweek," he said.

"They are both nice horses worth following."

Delectation, the only one of the trio with race experience, is a definite starter.

The gelding made an eye-catching debut when he ran on from near the rear for second to subsequent Magic Millions winner Unencumbered at his only start in December.

Early markets rate him a $3.40 chance to deliver Waller's first two-year-old win of the season with Inglis Classic winner Peggy Jean a slight $3.20 favourite.

"He's a really nice horse. He's more a three-year-old type but he's done everything right so far and that's why he is here on Saturday," Waller said.

– AAP

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