German import posts Quality Rosehill win
One of the pioneers of bringing European stayers to Australia, Chris Waller has enjoyed tremendous success with his string of imports and he looks to have unearthed another smart one in Saturday's Cleanaway Handicap (1900m) winner Quality Time.
The former German galloper has hit his straps at his past three starts, following a second on the Kensington track last month with back-to-back wins at Canterbury and Rosehill.
Waller admitted Quality Time's form surge had caught him off guard, but he hoped to find a suitable spring carnival target for him in the coming weeks.
"We didn't see his win coming last start. As impressive as it was, it took us a bit by surprise and then to back that win up with today's win, obviously he's a horse going places," Waller said.
"He is certainly racing with confidence and he enjoyed the good track today.
"There are lots of options coming up in the next five or six weeks, it's an amazing carnival, and then of course you've got Melbourne as well.
"I think we'll find a nice race or two. It would be nice to win another restricted races and then step up to something better."
Having chased a strong tempo, Quality Time ($5.50) and stablemate Rousseau ranged up to hit the front rounding the home turn but while the latter's sprint was short lived, Quality Time surged again, skipping clear to score by 2-1/2 lengths over Alycone ($5) with the Waller-trained Hameron ($5.50) third.
Grove Ferry earns Metropolitan start
Another imported stayer was to the fore a race later when the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Grove Ferry outgunned Cadre Du Noir to land his first Australian win in the Colin Stephen Quality.
Extending to 2400 metres for the first time, Grove Ferry faced an important test in the Group 3 feature, his win earning him a shot at next weekend's Metropolitan over the same journey at Randwick.
"We came here with that in mind, that intention, that we'd leave that option open and I think off what we saw today it's worthwhile," Bott said of a Metropolitan start.
"We wanted to see him tick that distance box today and I think he had done that very well.
"It was good to see him put his head in front today because we've had him about 12 months now and he hasn't been able to do that for us.
"Maybe getting out in trip has been the key."
Grove Ferry ($4.20) had a long head to spare over Cadre Du Noir ($2.90 fav) with Herman Hesse ($3.50) another long neck away third in a busy finish to the six-horse race.
Both placegetters are prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and while Herman Hesse's chances of backing up in the Metropolitan will hinge on track conditions, Eustace confirmed Cadre Du Noir would be given a chance to exact revenge in the Group 1.
"We will be guided by the weather a bit (with Herman Hesse), with Cadre, we will definitely go to the Metrop," Eustace said.
Maher and Eustace celebrated a Group 1 Moir Stakes win with Coolangatta at Moonee Valley on Friday night and Eustace said the filly had come through the race in great order.
Neasham excited about future of Economics
Aquis Farm's Fung family have been among Annabel Neasham's biggest supporters and she is thrilled to have delivered them an important stakes win with untapped three-year-old Economics.
While the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) was decimated by scratchings, including the race morning withdrawal of favourite Best Of Bordeaux due to a mild infection, Economics ($4.60) stamped his class with a blistering victory.
Coming off a maiden win at Scone in May, the colt swept past the leaders in the straight to score by 1-3/4 lengths over Opal Ridge ($2.70 fav) with Libertini's little brother Hawaii Five Oh ($8) another 1-1/4 lengths away.
Economics clocked a slick 33.71s for his final 600m sectional and Neasham was bubbling with excitement about his future potential.
"We've been waiting and waiting to get him to the races, he has always shown a lot of ability," Neasham said.
"He wasn't easy at the start but he's developing into a lovely horse and he is a very, very exciting sprinter for the Fung family.
"They've got some nice horses but I've been a bit thin on winners for them lately so I'm glad we've got an exciting colt in the stable for them now."
Neasham will let the dust settle before deciding her next move but the Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in two weeks is a likely option.
Back to the drawing board for Espiona
Group 1 placegetter Espiona missed a top-three finish for the second time in as many starts this campaign when fourth to Nimalee in the Golden Pendant and for trainer Chris Waller, that was a sign something was amiss.
While the mare settled a long way back from her wide draw and made late ground to get within 1-1/2 lengths of the winner, the trainer believes she is better than that at her best.
"She went well and James (McDonald) did a great job from the draw," Waller said.
"She was there to win but something is holding her back.
"No disrespect to her first three horses, but she is better than that. She had her head on the side (again) and something is not quite right."
Waller said the first step was to have his vets go over Espiona from head to toe to see if they could pinpoint an issue, either physically or internally, and if nothing came to light, he would tinker with her gear.
Quote of the day: "He was really a big baby in the autumn, just so raw. You thought if he takes that next step he could go on with it but not many do. He really has. Everything he does he gets more professional. Hopefully he can still find a bit more improvement from here."- Jockey Damian Lane on Golden Rose winner Jacquinot.
Stewards Room: Willie Pike and Sam Clipperton were issued with five-meeting careless riding suspensions from Rosehill, Pike for his effort on third placegetter Hameron in the Cleanaway Handicap and Clipperton for his winning ride on Fox Fighter in the final race. Both will ride at the feature Randwick program next weekend before beginning their penalties and will miss just one Saturday apiece – the Silver Eagle race day.
