Waller’s dream silks ready as he chases rare Sydney Group 1 clean sweep

When Chris Waller gets the silks out from the closet for Saturday’s Group 1 onslaught, it’s something of a dream house.

For a racing fan like Waller was as a kid in New Zealand, to grab the blues of Coolmore and Godolphin is making his dream come true.

But add the black and gold of Cambridge Stud, New Zealand’s most famous stud, the green of emerging giant Yulong and the green and red of Hermitage, which have given him so many top-level success, show how far Waller has come.

“It’s amazing to think we now train for some of the best owners, not only in the country but in the world,” Waller reflected.

“From where I came from, I would only try to dream about these moments.

“I used to idolise the leading owners and leading stud colours.

“When I see them hanging up in the wardrobe, I get a sense of pride, especially with each new set of colours are sent to us.”

Waller’s first Group 1 success was the 2008 Doncaster with Triple Honour, but the count has ballooned to 187 and he is set to join legends Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings beyond the 200-win mark.

Chasing history

But Saturday’s Canterbury Stakes offers him another achievement because if he can win it with Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah or Beiwacht, he will have won every Group 1 race in Sydney in past 18 years.

“The Canterbury Stakes has never been a race we have zoned in on, but we certainly have this year,” Waller said. “

“Joliestar [who the Expressway Stakes on her return] has come back and is in great form. She has drawn a nice barrier and got James [McDonald] which is a big plus.

“Lady Shenandoah has a tricky draw, but she is probably where Joliestar was this time last year.

“She is still learning about herself and getting confidence, but once everything falls in her favour, she will add to that already impressive Group 1 record of three wins.

“I think she will win many more Group 1s.”

Joliestar is the $2.40 favourite in front of Lady Shenandoah ($4.80) but Waller warned not to forget his three-year-old.

“Beiwacht only has to replicate his figures in the Golden Rose to be very competitive,” Waller said. “Saturday is his first run around a bend since he won that day.

“I think he will be much better suited because the straight racing didn’t work out for him.”

Autumn Boy will attempt to add the Randwick Guineas to his Caulfield Guineas success, while Golden Slipper and Golden Rose runner-up Wodeton and Angel Capital will be out to break their Group 1 duck in the Newmarket.

All-Star Mile on radar

However, it’s Waller’s insight on Buckaroo and Leica Lucy in the All-Star Mile that might be most telling.

“Both were good first-up and the way I will separate them is barrier draws,” Waller said. “When you are running against Pride Of Jenni it is a tough endurance test.

“You don’t want to be sprinting from the 800m mark, so at least Buckaroo can be that bit closer from the good draw.

“Whereas Leica Lucy, like last start, has a bad draw, which makes it very hard when you are trying to run down a horse like Pride Of Jenni.”