Racing
Work completed for Winx Waller army
A wet track will not worry Chris Waller when his stable stars make their return via the Winx Stakes at Randwick.
Champion trainer Chris Waller does not expect the wet weather that has waterlogged race and training tracks to have an effect on his team entered in the first Group 1 race of the season.
Waller has seven of the 18 horses entered in the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday with the track posted as a Heavy 8 when official nominations closed on Monday.
However, the weather forecast for the metropolitan area of Sydney does not look bright, with the potential of up to 100mm with further rain on Saturday.
"At this time of year, every day is a different day with weather," Waller said.
"We've had to restrict a lot of their work, but with these ones they've actually been well ahead of it.
"They've actually been on the right leg, while other horses have been on the wrong leg. They've had their trials and exhibition gallop while other horses are struggling to even have their first trials.
"If the forecast is like it has been and we are not seeing those 40 to 50mm (of rain), they will be running, but we'll make a decision later in the week if we need to, but I want to run them, as long as the track is safe.
"I need to get them started."
Waller has Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah, Lindermann, Full Count Felicia, Aeliana and River Of Stars among the entries.
James Mcdonald has been booked for Via Sistina with Jason Collett to ride Aeliana and Kerrin Mcevoy on Fangirl.
That trio galloped between races at Rosehill on Saturday with their respective race jockeys aboard.
"They're well prepared. They're not going into the race underdone or heavy," Waller said.
"Rain on the day is the worst thing, and you can't control that.
"I've got respect for the Sydney tracks. I think they're better and we saw in the autumn with some rain they recovered quickly.
"Missing that meeting a week ago at Randwick is probably a Godsend because it's got good grass.
"That's what kills tracks is overuse but we're going onto a fresh track, (with the rail in the) true position.
"It will be fine."
Besides the Waller seven, other entries for the Winx Stakes include Mr Brightside, Light Infantry Man, Ceolwulf, Gringotts and Another Wil.
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