In a bid to claim a fifth Cox Plate champion trainer Chris Waller will give his two representatives extra experience at Moonee Valley ahead of Australasia’s weight-for-age championship.
Fangirl and Militarise had their first look at the Moonee Valley circuit on Saturday ahead of the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and will return on Tuesday morning for Breakfast With The Best.
Both horses were not out to break the clock but will be asked to do something more strenuous on Tuesday which Waller said would be their last gallops before Saturday’s Cox Plate.
Waller said he was expecting something ‘special’ from Fangirl when she runs on Saturday, saying the mare had now fully matured.
The only time Fangirl has been seen in Melbourne was when successful in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in October 2021.
“She’s always been a slight framed horse, but now she’s built into her body, and it’s given her a bit more acceleration as well,” Waller said.
“I would have had my doubts about her this time last year, as she’s taken her time to reach full maturity. She’s not a bit robust horse, but she’s getting there and that’s why you’ve seen her form go to a slightly higher level.
“I am looking forward to next Saturday with her. I think she is capable of doing something special.
“She’s got the ability. The box she has to tick is the 2000-metre box, but she loves a tough Randwick mile, so it’s the right time to try.”
Fangirl has been tried beyond 1600m just once in her career, winning over 1850m in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Newcastle during the rain-soaked 2022 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Waller liked what he saw from Militarise when the colt worked on Saturday.
Sent out favourite in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at his most recent start, Waller said Militarise had pulled-up well from that fifth placing behind Griff.
“He’s a confidence horse and he didn’t get a chance to excel in the Guineas, but there’s been no negatives from it,” Waller said.
“Although it was soft work, I thought he worked good without running any time, but to my eye he was getting into it and is ready to go.
“It was just a look around for both horses and they will do something a bit more serious on Tuesday and won’t do as much looking around, hopefully.”