Waller's triple threat to win first Slipper
Chris Waller was asked to lead a horse for Lee Freedman in 1996. The horse won the Golden Slipper. It was the stable's fourth successive win in the world's richest juvenile race. Wallers was proud of the purple shirt he was given to wear. He didn't give it back. He watched in awe as Merlene streaked away before a huge, raucous Rosehill crowd.
Merlene's Golden Slipper win in 1996 left a lasting impression on Chris Waller. Wall is now the nation's leading trainer with 119 Group 1 winners. He is trying to win his first $3.5 million Longines Golden slipper at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Shaquero, Home Affairs and O'President are his top three contenders. The Golden sipper is considered an important race for the Australian racing and breeding industry.
Shaquero won the Pago Paga at Rosehill last Saturday. Waller has his biggest-ever representation in Saturday's Golden Slipper with Shaquero, Home Affairs and O'President. He didn't have a fourth starter for boom filly She's All Class, despite her outstanding effort to beat all but Four Moves Ahead in the Sweet Embrace Stakes three weeks ago.
Waller's stable has had success with two-year-olds this season. He believes having a pecking order and working out the better ones has been important. The horses all had a run before Christmas.
Waller's three two-year-old colts are among the leading contenders for the Golden Slipper. The Freedman family hasn't won the trophy since 1993. Richard and Michael Freedmann train in partnership and have second favourite Stay Inside and last start Reisling Stakes winner Glistening. Anthony is co-trainer with his son Sam and they are represented by Blue Diamond winner Artorius.
Waller's horse Home Affairs is going to mature into a lovely horse. O'President is a tough, strong two-year-old. Waller has considered training overseas but he likes racing in Australia. He wants to be a better trainer and a good representative of racing. He would like to help change the social standards of the industry. The industry gained respect through COVID-19.
