Waller’s No.1 Golden Slipper seed

Master trainer Chris Waller has put forward his No.1 seed for the $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill.

Asked which of his gallopers would he rate on top to win next month’s Slipper, Waller went with an Extreme Choice colt despite being safely held by Stretan Ruler in last weekend’s Silver Slipper.

“Probably Hidrix,” Waller said on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“I know he got beaten on Saturday but it was just a tricky race for us. It was hard to make up ground. Taking nothing away from the winner, he was very good.

“We’d need to improve but I think at 1200m he can improve.”

The undefeated Fireball will also be a very strong Slipper chance and could firm if he runs well in this weekend’s Skyline Stakes (1200m).

“Fireball is unbeaten at this stage but he’s got a big test this Saturday. He runs at Randwick over 1200m which should suit,” Waller added.

“He’s done nothing wrong and he’s still improving.”

The Golden Slipper will be run on March 21 and Bjorn Baker’s Warwoven is currently the $6.50 favourite with Sportsbet.

Hidrix is rated a $13 chance and Fireball is double the quote at $26.

Waller also spoke about stable star Autumn Glow who is chasing 10 straight wins in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant (1600m) at Randwick this Saturday.

“She’s well,” said Waller of the gun four-year-old mare.

“She came through the first-up run really good and everything has been straightforward since.

“She’s ready to run well.”

The Waller stable has seven of the nine runners in this weekend’s Verry Elleegant in which Autumn Glow will likely start a very short favourite.

The autumn pathway has been loosely set for Autumn Glow who is being targeted at the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth (2000m) at Randwick on April 11.

But could Waller be swayed by the 56.5kg given to the daughter of The Autumn Sun for the Doncaster Mile over 1600m on April 4?

“It’s a problem we don’t need to worry about just yet,” he replied.

“After the George Ryder (1500m on March 21) you make a call. Do we run in the Doncaster or are we confident she’ll run 2000m?

“I think if she ran a mile race we’d certainly be considering the Doncaster, more so than the Queen of the Turf (1600m on April 11). But if we think 2000m then the Queen Elizabeth is certainly the preferred option.

“It’s certainly going to be considered.”

Waller touched on a number of his other key runners and new imports -

AELIANA: “Very happy with her. She’ll be better over a mile and she’s much stronger snd mentally more mature this preparation.”

TRINITY COLLEGE: “We’re just trying to work out where he fits in. He was building towards some good form prior to leaving Europe. If he can take that step here - and he’s by Dubawi, he looks a mile type of horse - it will be very interesting to see where he fits in. He’s well weighted in a Doncaster too, but originally I would have thought the Queen Elizabeth.”

WOOTTON VERNI: “He found some good form at the end of last prep. I think he’ll be competitive once he gets to 2000m and beyond. He’s a Tancred Stakes horse which is the end of March. We’ll see how he runs on Saturday (in the Verry Elleegant).”

CENTRAL EUROPE: “It’s a big step. It’s all been boom from our team, we’ve put a bit of a rap on him. He’s got to do it race day now.”

ANGEL CAPITAL: “Didn’t do a lot in his first-up run, there wasn’t much speed in the race. A high intensity Newmarket will really suit.”

BEIWACHT: “He’s not really a straight track horse and he’s a really good 1300-1400m where he can sustain a high cruising speed. He doesn’t quite have the gas to go over 1000m or even 1200m. He’ll run in the Canterbury Stakes.”

AUTUMN BOY: “It was a tricky track (last start). His sectional times say he was very good. A mile in the Randwick Guineas will be ideal. We’re confident he can bounce back to winning form.”

LADY SHENANDOAH: “She’s come through that first-up run really well. 1300m will suit better.”

JOLIESTAR: “Could have a little question mark over Joliestar’s second-up form but I’m not really buying into that too much. She does everything right. She’s capable of winning a really big race when the speed is on.”

BUCKAROO: “He’s a beautiful horse to work with and we’ve got him back on track which is exciting. All-Star Mile into the Australian Cup. He loves Victoria, his form down there is as good as any horse.”

OHOPE WINS: “She’s a very exciting filly. I’m very lucky to be training her. I’ve had a good chat to Lance O’Sullivan (former trainer) and he’s been fantastic. It’s not easy for the New Zealand trainers or any trainer losing a horse. I’ve got a job ahead, I can’t worry too much about that. There’s more in her favour than against her. She’s just an amazing horse, it’s really exciting. It’s a big ask to be doing it in two Grand Finals in one prep but she really is something special. Australia is the winner there, we’ve got a really good filly to see race over the next few seasons.”

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