27.08.2008, MAIDEN WIN FOR BABY CASINO

From Widden Stud Website

Sydney, August 26 – Leading trainer Chris Waller’s happy association with yearlings purchased from Widden Stud continued at the metro meeting at Newcastle on Tuesday when Johannesburg (USA) four year-old Baby Casino scored an overdue win in the 1500 metre maiden.

Runner-up at his three previous starts, Baby Casino was ridden a heady race by Corey Brown, leading throughout and forging clear to win by a length and a half.

Raced by a syndicate that includes TVN commentator Richard Callander’s wife Kay, Baby Casino was purchased by Chris Waller for $70,000 from the Widden draft at the 2006 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

A half-brother to good metropolitan winners Bellagio Wynn, Warm Ride and High Heel Shooter, Baby Casino is from Hunting Gal, a half-sister to stakes-placed Imposing Bull and Secretaire.

Chris Waller is no stranger to success with a Widden purchase, having secured his Group One AJC Doncaster Handicap winner Triple Honour for just $50,000 from the Widden draft at the 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

27.08.2008, WALLER-BOWMAN DUO COMPLETE A DOUBLE AT CANTERBURY

The formidable Chris Waller-Hugh Bowman combination completed a running double at Canterbury today, with Able Too breaking through first-up for his new trainer and English import Hartmann finding his second local win.

Able Too shook off his maiden status in the Dexta Underwriting Handicap (1250m) after being previously placed in only one of five starts.

Another Chris Waller-trained runner in Camouflaged held on for fourth after looking a winning chance around the turn, charging home with Peter Snowden-trained Penhaligon, but the duo were overhauled by Able Too in the closing stages with Detroit Song flashing home for second.

The four-year-old’s recent trial performances behind handy provincial stayer Deltona and Mentality gave strong indications of what the gelding might have in store.

“He’s needed time,” Waller said.

“He’s matured and there’s still a lot of improvement in him yet.

“It was a good ride by Hugh, he got out at the right time and just went straight past them.”

In the following event, the GAU Handicap (1550m) Bowman completed the double for Waller, booting home the imported Hartmann after his last start second behind the blazing Rock Star at Gosford’s metropolitan meeting on August 20.

Able Too 56.5kg ($5.50) (H. Bowman) defeated Detroit Song 58kg ($16) (L. Cassidy) by a length with Penhaligon 56.5kg ($2.10) (C. Brown) a neck away in third.

The sectionals: The overall time for the race was 1.14.80 secs and they ran home the final 600 metres in 37.23 secs.

Winner’s Breeding: Dehere (USA) – Keltshaan (USA) (Pleasant Colony (USA))

What they said: “He traveled well today. He had the benefit of the run and he’s an improving horse,” Hugh Bowman said of winner Able Too.

“He probably should have won. He’s a lovely horse, probably better suited to a bigger track,” reported Detroit Song’s jockey Larry Cassidy.

“Nice horse. She was a bit one-paced today and I suggested she go up in distance, her first run seemed like it just flattened her a bit,” Corey Brown commented about Penhaligon.

“She probably wants further, blinkers would help,” Camouflaged’s jockey Glen Boss said [4th].

“He ran good – he’ll be looking for a mile,” Danny Nikolic said of Show Me.

The money trail: Able Too was well backed, firming from $7 to $5.50 while Lindys Cross was specked from $51 in to $31.