It’s a rare occasion Richard Jackson, a bush trainer, will be mentioned in the same sentence as champion, Chris Waller.
Jackson proudly declared at Mudgee races last Sunday his horses had notched around $1million in prizemoney, but Waller will have a slack day on Saturday if he can’t get a return for around that figure with his team at Rosehill Gardens and Flemington.
There is no sign of a Waller juggernaut subsiding, if anything it’s gaining more momentum.
Meanwhile Jackson, now based in Dubbo and training for 43 years, is struggling to survive due to Racing NSW requirements regarding financials.
Alas on the same subject another confronted me on the Mendooran hill last Saturday declaring: “I am a hobby trainer with two horses and they want me to find $20,000.”
Being closely involved trying to get Terry Fahey’s Ternini home in the $12,000 Maiden at the time I didn’t catch his base. Was it Gulargambone or Coonabarabran?
Obviously Jackson, who has engaged the services of Melbourne Cup greats Damian Oliver, Kerrin McEvoy, Greg Hall, Michelle Payne, and Robbie Dolan has a better chance of survival. Superannuation was mentioned.
Subsequently Chris Waller has left his mark, like few if any others, and will be further enhanced on Saturday.
Despite being the Group one attraction, the $750,000 Makybe Diva at Flemington, featuring Waller’s great mare, Via Sistina, and Aeliana, chasing the same status, Rosehill, with the champ’s influence more than equals down south.
Consider his two unbeatens: Autumn Boy ( $250,000 Ming Dynasty) and Autumn Glow ($300,000 Theo Marks) coupled with the Flemington Newmarket winner, Joliestar ($300,000 Sheraco) plus a bevy of other top hopes at both venues.
But the Makybe Diva promises to be spectacular despite only six acceptors. Being a weight-for-age event, tactics are vital. Recollect Nash Rawiller on Lindermann at Randwick last Saturday.
If Rawiller has an equal at weight-for-age, it’s Craig Williams. Williams rides Mr Brightside, who has been successful under him in the last two Makybe Diva Stakes, a race where mares have a surprisingly poor record.
Since 1996 only one, Southern Speed, has scored. Still none have been as good as Via Sistina although she was beaten at $2.50 in the corresponding event last year under James McDonald, Waller’s principal hitman.
With the exception of Mr Brightside others on Saturday can be sluggish at the start. Leaving him and Williams alone in front could be a disaster for them.
However what a match: against the wily Williams, J-Mac, the world’s greatest equine navigator, Damian Lane (Aeliana) regarded by some as better, Blake Shinn (Antino), the leading rider in Victoria last season, Ben Melham, husband of Jamie, at present regarded as the better half, while Jamie Mott on Mark Twain is on a $101 chance who may not have the necessary zip to engage over the 1600 metres.
Jockeys in the Run To The Rose, in which Waller has five acceptors, will be confronted with a different but demanding situation being a 1200 metre dash for three-year-olds. The last Rosehill meeting had a fall and interference at a vital stage in similar events.
Wodeton would not have won but finished closer, hitting the line to suggest Saturday’s 1200 metres would suit him better than the 1100 metres last start. Jason Collett takes over from J-Mac on this superb to the eye colt, and has to contend with the wide gate (10). Bad barriers don’t stop good things.
The trainer has Beiwacht, formerly with James Cummings opposing Wodeton while another Godolphin three-year-old Tempted, a filly now with Ciaron Maher, is the hardest for Wodeton to beat.
