Racing
Black type target beckons for Waller’s midweek Star
Chris Waller will look to give Burma Star another opportunity in stakes company after his stylish maiden win.
A pair of well-bred three-year-olds from the Chris Waller stable have provided bright spots at a rain-soaked Warwick Farm with both destined to be given shots at better races.
Burma Star kicked off Wednesday's midweek card with a strong win in the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Handicap (1100m), the Exceed And Excel colt breaking his maiden at his fifth start after showing early promise as a juvenile behind the likes of Blitzburg and King Of Pop.
Formerly with James Cummings, Burma Star has slotted seamlessly into Waller's system as part of Godolphin's new public training model and the champion horseman says Cummings deserves credit for the win.
"I'm just taking James' wages," Waller quipped.
"What we've seen from Godolphin is they've got amazing systems, good staff, the horses are so well educated and they look fantastic."
Burma Star ($1.95 fav) had little trouble handling the heavy 10 conditions, scoring by 3-3/4 lengths over Hush Hush ($41) with Defiance ($5) another two lengths away third.
Waller will seek further feedback from winning jockey James Mcdonald before making a call on where to head with Burma Star but has indicated the colt could chime into the early carnival races.
"I will have a good chat to James…. hopefully we can pick up some black type for the mare and for the Godolphin operation," he said.
Waller combined with Jason Collett a race later to claim the Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series Handicap (1300m) with blue-blooded filly Beside The Sea ($8.50), who trounced nearest rival Koibito ($3.20 fav) by almost four lengths.
By Zoustar, Beside The Sea is a half-sister to 2020 Golden Slipper winner and now young stallion Farnan and was having just her second start after finishing runner-up on debut at Randwick's Kensington track last month.
Waller said she was likely to go for a break to prepare for bigger assignments next year.
"I wanted to get today out of the way. She is obviously very well bred and she won't need to do a lot more this prep," Waller said.
"If you spelled her now, in the autumn she could be one of those P J Bell (Stakes), James Carr (Stakes) fillies."
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