Chris Waller will have a strong hand in the Manion Cup at Rosehill when he saddles up three of the top four runners in betting, all of them on a possible Sydney Cup path.
While Hawkes Racing’s Zeyrek is an early favourite for Saturday’s 2400m race, Waller has the next three horses in the market, including import Surefire, a dazzling winner at his Australian debut last month.
That was in benchmark company and Waller acknowledges the steep step up to Group 3 grade, but he is optimistic the horse chance can make the transition and so are punters, who have backed him into $4.40 second favouritism.
“He was first-up over 2000 metres, admittedly in a restricted race, but he was very good and the team at home have assured me he has improved in his trackwork,” Waller said.
“The 2400 will suit him, although admittedly it’s a big step up in class.”
Mightybeel ($6.50) is likewise a talent on the rise.
After thumping his Parramatta Cup rivals two starts ago, he struggled on the extreme conditions when sixth to Zeyrek in the Randwick City Stakes.
Provided the track isn’t bottomless on Saturday, Waller expects him to rebound.
“I think he handles the wet, but not a heavy 10, so let’s hope we get a soft seven or eight at worst on Saturday and he will be able to bounce back,” Waller said.
“He just got bogged down last start.”
No Compromise ($5.50) is also high in Manion Cup markets but will need luck from a tricky draw while Waller has warned punters not to forget the least-fancied of his runners, $23 chance Chalk Stream owned by Her Majesty The Queen.
“He did a few little things wrong (last start), so I’ve made a minor gear change with a different bit on him for Saturday,” Waller said.
“It seems to have helped in his trackwork and the 2400 will certainly be a big plus.”