Racing
Waller leaning to mares race with Firestorm
The Dane Ripper Stakes is shaping as the more likely target for smart mare Firestorm.
A difficult draw in the Stradbroke Handicap has Chris Waller leaning towards running dual acceptor Firestorm in the Dane Ripper Stakes, paving the way for first emergency and barn mate Coleman to take his place in the Group One.
Waller had initially hoped to run the mare in the day's main feature but said drawing barrier 16 made her task hard.
"If she had a good draw she would definitely be running (in the Stradbroke)," Waller said.
"She is good fresh and she has won a Group Two over 1300 metres and run second in a Coolmore (Classic) beaten a nose.
"My gut tells me, leave the Stradbroke, run her in the Dane Ripper and that will have her peaking for the Tatt's Tiara in two weeks."
Waller has until 5pm (AEST) on Wednesday to make a final call.
If Firestorm does line up in the Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) it will give the champion trainer a strong hand in the Group 2 assignment as she will join stablemates Olentia, Konasana and possibly Gumdrops, who is a dual acceptor for a Listed race on the undercard.
It will also give Coleman a Group 1 opportunity in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) after he showed a return to form with a stakes placing at Eagle Farm last start.
He has drawn the outside gate in 23 but Waller doesn't see it as a negative for the colt after speaking to jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
"He ran second in a Golden Slipper when Kerrin rode him and he rode him last start as well and said he's probably a horse that would appreciate a bit of room," Waller said.
"He's going well and the 1400 will suit him better."
The 2024 Golden Slipper runner-up joined the Waller yard this year and was Group 1 placed in the ATC Sires' Produce Stakes over the Stradbroke journey.
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