Waller puts Ballet Suite on ATC Oaks trail

Wednesday 18 February 2015, 6:11pm

The ATC Australian Oaks has emerged as the clear-cut autumn target for Ballet Suite after the Coolmore filly's first-up Randwick win for leading trainer Chris Waller.

"She's got the pedigree to be an Oaks filly so we'll put her on a traditional path to the Australian Oaks," Waller said.

Giving Waller and jockey Blake Shinn three wins together from the first four races on Wednesday, Ballet Suite swept up from the back of the field to win the Colin Glover Handicap (1400m).

Ballet Suite is by High Chaparral from a Woodman mare and she was having her first start for Waller after three Victorian runs for Mark Kavanagh produced a Bendigo win and a Seymour placing.

Eased out to make her bid at the 500m, Ballet Suite was the widest runner in the straight and gave the leaders six lengths start before she gathered in Shengli and Miss Interiors.

Bookmakers saw enough merit in the win to promote her to the fourth line of Oaks betting as a $15 chance.

Waller's first winner Vanbrugh surprised everyone except him as he denied Godolphin another two-year-old winner.

The betting suggested Vanbrugh could not win with Godolphin's Circular and Blue Diamond Stakes possibility Tempt Me Not expected to fight out the finish of a midweek race tipped to be some pointer to the autumn's best juvenile races.

But after bookmakers almost doubled his quote to $15 in the ATC Employee Long Service Handicap (1200m), Vanbrugh came from last for Blake Shinn to edge out Godolphin outsider Chamerel ($10) by a head.

Vanbrugh gave Waller his second two-year-old winner of the season after the trainer expected him to run well, with reservations, following a promising barrier trial.

"I thought his trial was very good. He trialled on the bridle behind Furnaces and obviously that horse has been to the races and won," Waller said.

"Just on that I thought he had a chance but whatever he did he was going to improve on."

Always Allison is the best two-year-old Waller has produced but he rates Vanbrugh as a horse for next season and beyond.

"He's right up there but he doesn't have to be a two-year-old Group One winner ... it's not all about winning the Golden Slipper," he said.

Waller and Shinn also teamed up when imported stayer Danjeu won the Robert Tautuhi Handicap after finding the lead in the middle stages.

Shinn made it four winners for the meeting when Happy Clapper fought back to win the Alan Montgomery Handicap.

– AAP

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