Golden Slipper 2021: Chris Waller has hit back at accusations he pinches horses
Chris Waller can finally put to rest the theory training two-year-olds is his stable’s weak link by winning his first $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The Hall of Famer, who also set the record straight on unfair accusations he “pinches horses” from other stables, has three leading chances in the world’s richest juvenile race — Shaquero, Home Affairs and O’President.
This is the biggest representation Waller has ever had in the Golden Slipper, a race where he has had very few runners and is without even a placegetter.
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Regarded as the nation’s dominant big-race trainer, Waller has prepared a staggering 119 Group 1 winners during his stellar career but his only Group 1 two-year-old wins have been in the JJ Atkins Stakes over 1600m in Brisbane with The Autumn Sun (2018), Press Statement (2015) and Pressday (2010).
Waller said he is aware of the perception training two-year-olds is his “Achilles heel”.
“I respect people’s opinions,’’ Waller said.
“But what I’ve learnt after starting to get my foot in the door is that there will always be someone trying to bring you down.
“I occasionally get accused of pinching horses from other stables but I can honestly say my phone rings for the job that I do and not for the job I make out I do.
“But I’m pretty proud of being in the position I am when we started with a barn of (just) 10 horses.
“Good luck to those people who say I can’t train two-year-olds, the only people I feel sorry for is the team behind me. They do a fantastic job whether it be for a two-year-old race or a Melbourne Cup.
“We have runners in most of the feature races, year in year out, and I think in time we will get a Golden Slipper on the mantelpiece.
“I’m sure (then) there would be another ‘Achilles heel’ on the other leg suggesting a Melbourne Cup is next — there is always something but I have a great team of horses and staff and we are really proud of the results we achieve.’’
Waller is enjoying a very successful season with his two-year-old team including preparing the winners of the Magic Millions, Breeders Plate and Pago Pago Stakes (Shaquero), Silver Slipper (Home Affairs), Skyline Stakes (O’President) and Wyong Magic Millions (She’s All Class).
Home Affairs is rated at $15 with Shaquero and O’President at $21 in early TAB Fixed Odds betting on the Golden Slipper. Profiteer and Stay Inside are joint favourites at $4.50 ahead of Tuesday’s crucial barrier draw.
Waller said it was hard to split his trio of well-bred two-year-old colts.
“Shaquero has the points on the board, he is a Magic Millions winner in good shape,’’ Waller said.
“Home Affairs is the real deal in terms of being a tough, strong two-year-old and he is going to mature into a lovely horse.
“O’President has ‘three-year-old’ written all over him and he is doing it on raw, natural ability.
“The difference in my three is the barrier draw, luck in running and how they train through the week. Every day is a long day with two-year-olds and you don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself.’’
WALLER’S SLIPPER RECORD
2012 Jade Marauder 15th
2013-17 No runners
2018 Fiesta 7th, Performer 14th
2019 Yes Yes Yes 7th
2020 Hungry Heart 5th
GODOLPHIN RELY ON ANAMOE AND INGRATIATING
Godolphin has confirmed Anamoe and Ingratiating will be their only Golden Slipper runners and the $150,000 late entry was paid to secure starts for Artorius and Rocket Tiger as the final field takes shape for Saturday’s big race at Rosehill Gardens.
Trainer James Cummings has retained Rachel King for Anamoe after she combined with the colt to win the Todman Stakes last start while Hall of Fame jockey Damien Oliver has been booked for Ingratiating.
With Blue Diamond winner Artorius and the tough bush two-year-old Rocket Tiger now locked in for the Golden Slipper, it was announced that Tiger Of Malay and boom Kiwi colt Sword Of State would both miss Saturday’s race but could clash in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick next month.
The connections of borderline Slipper hopefuls Swift Witness and Captivant were breathing a little easier last night with the likelihood both will now make the elite 16-horse field.
Godolphin, chasing their second Golden Slipper in three years after Cummings trained the quinella with Kiamichi and Microphone in 2019, also announced their outstanding sprinter Bivouac will be retired to Darley Stud at the end of this season.
Vin Cox, Godolphin’s Australian managing director, said Bivouac and European champions Ghaiyyath, Pinatubo and Earthlight will be new additions to Darley’s stallion roster this spring.
“These four horses are of a quality that is as high as we could wish for,” Cox said. “Any farm would take any one of them in a heartbeat.
“Each is an immaculately bred son of a pre-potent sire. We are immensely proud to have them and can’t wait to offer these champions to breeders.”
Cox said Bivouac will continue to race this season with his next start scheduled for the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick on April 3 before a possible trip to England for the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
