CWR Runners – Randwick 5 August

Chris Waller made the best possible start to the new season by winning the opening race at Rosehill with up-and-coming stayer Voice Coach.

Waller, who finished third behind heavyweight trainers Gai Waterhouse and Peter Snowden in a thrilling finish to the 2008-09 premiership race at Warwick Farm on Friday, was the first to draw blood on Saturday with $2.15 favourite Voice Coach easily accounting for his Sydney City Toyota Hcp (2000m) rivals.

The five-year-old is one of several horses Waller has bought at tried horse sales in England and at $250,000 he is also one of the most expensive.

But with the Group One Metropolitan (2400m) in October looming as a spring target, Waller is confident it will prove money well spent.

“He’s the most expensive one we’ve bought along with Kossack who hasn’t raced here yet,” Waller said.

“Although the other horses we’ve bought have done a terrific job and the owners are happy, I think going to that extra expense if you can afford it and the owners want to, then you clearly get a better class of horse.

“It’s an awkward time of year but I’ll back off him now and look at some of those lesser races that lead into the Metropolitan and if the Metropolitan is on the horizon and he’s in form then we might go for it.”

Bright Mind and Shadow Cabinet are among the other English imports Waller has enjoyed success with in Australia but the popular Rosehill trainer won’t be making the trip overseas this year.

With his wife Stephanie due to give birth to their first child in November, Waller will entrust veterinarian Tim Roberts and bloodstock specialist Guy Mulcaster to buy on his behalf.

“They’re the brains behind it, I’m just the one putting my finances on the line,” Waller said.

Voice Coach has strung together consecutive victories since Waller put blinkers on him but he also believes the firmer tracks and roomy Rosehill circuit have contributed to the gelding’s good form.

Ridden by Corey Brown, Voice Coach tracked leader Needlebox ($9) before getting the better of him in the straight to score by 1-1/4 lengths with Rocket Rod ($9.50) doing best of the rest another 1-1/2 lengths away.

Article by www.virtualformguide.com

Photo by www.sportpix.com

Voice Coach making a noise

Expensive import Voice Coach is well on his way to recovering his purchase price after recording his second successive impressive win at Rosehill today.

Just like he did at his previous start at Rosehill two weeks ago, Voice Coach toyed with moderate restricted class horses over 2000m to land his second Australian win in five starts for the Chris Waller stable.

Waller, establishing a big reputation for his success with horse purchased overseas, believes Voice Coach is heading for bigger things in the spring.

His immediate target will be the Group One AJC Metropolitan at Randwick on October 3 with a lead-up program to include races like the Wyong and Newcastle Cups.

The Irish-bred 5YO, by noted European staying sire Alhaarth from a Caerleon mare, has also been nominated from the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

“I’ll put him in races going towards the Metropolitan and see where we end up,” Waller said.

Voice Coach had recorded one win from five starts in the UK before Waller purchased him for $more than $200,000 at the 2008 Tattersalls December Sale.

He is the most expensive of the horses Waller has bought from overseas over the last two seasons and has joined Big Al Hazim, Bright Mind, Strike One and Hawk Island as imported winners for the stable.

Waller added blinkers to Voice Coach’s gear at his previous start and they obviously have been the key to making the gelding a much keener performer.

Corey Brown never had a moments worry on the short priced favourite, allowing him to coast behind the leader Needlebox to the home turn before asserting his authority with the same quick acceleration that was a feature of his previous win.

“He’s got an explosive turn of foot. He’s a promising stayer,” Brown said.

Brown allowed Voice Coach to coast to the line one and a quarter lengths clear of a game Needlebox with Rocket Rod running home gamely to finish third at only his third run since resuming.

Article By www.racingandsports.com.au