Chris Waller always builds a safeguards into his spring preparations, which will be used with star mare Aeliana after she was scratched following a barrier mishap at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.
Aeliana got her hind leg caught up in the gates, with cuts above and below the off-hind knee, leading her to miss the barrier trial.
“She just took some skin off, and it was best not to trial her,” trainer Chris Waller said. “It wasn’t bleeding, which is a good sign, so she will be back at the trials soon.
“It is why we have the three weeks into going to races, just to give us the chance to wait a week if needed.
“It will be the same thing with [Champagne Stakes winner] Fireball that spiked the temperature this morning and stayed at home.”
Aeliana comes back after being scratched from her trial. Cut to near hock and above the knee. @betsy_com_au @StarTbreds @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/jwEsupoKUU
— Chris Roots (@ChrisRoots1) August 3, 2026
Aeliana’s trial went to Gringotts, who looked in great shape for the spring, beating Beiwacht and Campione D’Italia on a morning where the stars continued to step out.
“It was a bad start with Aeliana, but I’m happy with how our horses went this morning after that,” Waller said.
“They are all in good shape and ready to go to the races now.”
Warnie and Tornado Valley won their trials, giving Ciaron Maher a clean sweep of the feature trials, while Tempted and Jimmysstar looked good behind them.
Golden slipper winner guest house @CoolmoreAus @MickPriceRacing @ZacLloydx pic.twitter.com/Oqcj4pw2uz
— Chris Roots (@ChrisRoots1) August 3, 2026
‘He’s in good shape’: Guest House back
Golden Slipper winner Guest House tracked in behind Tornado Valley to run fourth in his first public trial.
“That is what we wanted from this morning. He was a little fresh,” trainer Mick Price said.
“He will have another trial before going to the San Domenico Stakes, the Run To The Rose, Golden Rose, The Everest and Coolmore.
“We aren’t ruling anything out yet. He’s in good shape.”
The $5.6 million filly Chayan stretched her legs in her first trial, following the field around but came back with a speedy nick on her front leg.
“She is fine, it is just a nick and we are not sure where she did in the trial or coming back,” trainer Rob Archibald said.
“James [McDonald] was happy with her and pointed out the nick when he got off her.
“She will have another trial before starting her prep in the Furious Stakes and then Tea Rose [Stakes] and then we will decide if to go to the mile for the Flight Stakes or come back in trip to the Coolmore in Melbourne.”
$5.6 million filly Chayan. Just clipped herself after her trial. James McDonald has a look at it. Only minor @betsy_com_au pic.twitter.com/5wKBolmwKj
— Chris Roots (@ChrisRoots1) August 3, 2026
