SYDNEY PREMIERSHIP TITLE: WALLER IN THE SADDLE, BUT RIVALS GAINING GROUND

Chris Waller, socialising with the world greats in the winter solstice, will be under siege like never before over his fourteen-year reign to hold the Sydney’s Trainer’s Premiership.

Kicking off the Saturday season today Waller will be pressed, more so than usual, in every Rosehill race for which he is eligible. The changing trend? Waller verses Ciaron Maher, for one, at Rosehill Gardens today lifts a flat start to the season following the dead end of the last term.

Basically, Sydney is wallowing in benchmarks while the opposition, Flemington, at least has a Group Three, the Aurie’s Star, once a launching pad for Melbourne Cup hopes despite being a straight 1200 metre dash with the Inside Run Trophy, very much on the undercard, but with a a bearing on the Big One.

Maher is strong in both capitols but considering his expansion in New South Wales from Warwick Farm, to Moss Vale and more recently Bob’s Farm on the way to Nelson’s Bay, he will produce a bigger representation in Sydney where Waller has far more starters.

Not only Maher, though. Sydney is bristling with training operations currently, again much improved, that will really test the affable New Zealander’s grip on the title.

The Gai Waterhouse – Adrian Bott partnership really hit top gear last season, Godolphin, under James Cummings, continues to produce strong competition, Bjorn Baker is getting better and Joe Pride constantly adds to his record of excellence. The growing power of Annabel Neasham won’t be detracted by her new partner, Rob Archibald, either.

While the Sydney training ranks is superior to Melbourne, the Victorians had a stronger influence here in recent months, and should that trend continue, it will make Waller’s successful tally last season, 148 wins, more difficult.

During his recent trip abroad Waller was seen with Aiden O’Brien, the Irish wizard regarded as one of the best, and in the United States the acclaimed Bobby Baffert.

Compared to them Waller rates well. O’Brien took over at Ballydoyle, one of the great training centres already established due to his predecessor the legendry Vincent O’Brien, no relation, with the finance to source the best bloodstock, while Baffert wouldn’t survive under Australian drug rules.

Waller was closer to Tommy Smith. Rarely do I hit the computer keys without mentioning him. Smith is my benchmark. Waller has notched 14 Sydney premierships, as tough as anywhere, conceding Hong Kong is pretty good, while Smith achieved 33 straight.

Like Smith, Waller started from the bottom. A no-account battling New Zealand strapper, he struggled to afford a feed when he got here. He had to bite (borrow) $10,000 guarantee to get a license. I know from whence it came and the benefactor should be lauded.

Waller, unfortunately, has been abroad with the Rosehill sale brewing. Waller was needed at the recent Parliament House inquiry. Gai Waterhouse and John O’Shea from Randwick did well, but they train at Randwick. Waller made his name at Rosehill and articulated on the subject at an Australian Turf Club meeting earlier this year. His quiet but very persuasive argument will be vital against the forces of stupidity that want to see this vital racing asset fall foul of the developer’s ball.

Perhaps he has two acceptors in the Rosehill feature, the NSW Jockeys Association Reunion, with Rubusto, a last start winner, looks his best.

Still the anticipated return bout between Cepheus, prepared Matt Dunn, and Pride’s Estadio Mestalla is the main event after they had a battle royal in the South Grafton Cup last start. Cepheus, under 62kg and a flailing Nash Rawiller, out gamed Estadio Mestalla (54kg.).

But a South Grafton credential hardly rates with the Flemington Aurie’s Star, despite lacking the horsepower of yore. Hyperno won the 1979 chapter on route to a Melbourne Cup triumph when horses were tougher and more versatile.

Two previous winners of the event, Astrologist and It’sourtime today, will be out to make it a double today while Queenslander Zarastro, with Jamie Kah up, is strongly fancied.

Right To Party, a four-year-old mare and successful at her last two at Flemington, promises to get better. But no mare has won this century.

Certainly the Inside Run Trophy, without scratchings, should be a Melbourne Cup pointer. Consider Post Impressionist, beaten last start when 2.50 favourite in the Group One Tancred at Rosehill. Now with Anthony and Sam Freedman, Post Impressionist is owned Lloyd Williams who targets the Big One. Post Impressionist had reasonable form in the United Kingdom before coming here and was scratched from Queensland engagements over the winter, probably because of wet tracks. An Irish bred Post Impressionist takes on Maher’s Berkshire Breeze, triumphant at his last three and on the fourth like of present Melbourne Cup markets. Waller’s Speycaster and Mr Waterville, also imports, prepared at Mt Macedon, a horse heaven developed by Williams, are ready to improve.

Namenote: Aurie’s Star was foaled in 1932 and was regarded as “possibly Australia’s fastest horse” holding the six-furlong (1200 metre) record for 27 years. It was established in 1941 when he was an eight-year-old carrying 10 stone 2 lb (64.5kg). Alas his dam, Aurie Anton was not eligible for the Australian Stud Book thus the gelding didn’t make the greatest 100 racehorse of the 20^th century.