Chris Waller snapped up the golden ticket into next Saturday's G1 Golden Slipper S. with Shaquero (Aus) (Shalaa {Ire}) after his victory at Rosehill. The Waller-trained Shaquero was successful in the G3 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Pago Pago S. Shaquero won the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in January and in one subsequent appearance since a break had finished sixth in the G2 Skyline S. Improved for that outing, he settled in the trail and once into the clear 200 meters off the post he accelerated quickly and held out the late charge of Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice).
“He does well between his runs and he will be fitter again in seven days' time. He ran the week before the Magic Millions as well,” Waller said. “He's a decent horse obviously and on a better track he's a different sort of horse. It was good to see him settle and then push out and held a strong gallop to the post.”
Champion trainer Chris Waller has dominated the G2 Phar Lap S. in recent years and he was again the dominant force at Rosehill, this time taking major honors with Hungry Heart (Aus) (Frankel {GB}). Waller won his first Phar Lap in 2015 with none other than Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) and he missed out in the following edition, but then produced Foxplay (Aus) (Foxwedge), Unforgotten (Aus) (Fastnet Rock), Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Funstar (Aus) (Adelaide {Ire}) to land the next five on the bounce.
“It's a good lineup that's for sure. It's been a good race to us and there's no bigger name than Winx,” Waller said.
Hungry Heart had been out of sorts in her two previous runs, but Waller said the filly had genuine excuses and he hadn't been put off her chances.
“The Vinery in two weeks' time looks a good race for her,” he said.
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