Despite claiming his seventh Sydney trainers’ premiership and topping the Australian Group One winner’s list for another season, Chris Waller is not about to rest on his laurels.
As he prepares his team for the spring headlined by champion Winx, Waller is also searching for ways to improve on his record.
The stable had nine Group One wins in 2016/17, six courtesy of Winx who will begin her quest for a third Cox Plate in the Warwick Stakes on August 19.
While he appears to have her training regime down pat, Waller is always keen to learn more about his profession.
“We didn’t have the volume of Group One winners as previously but it’s been a satisfying year,” Waller said.
“I’ve travelled more this year.
“I’ve been to Hong Kong, Japan, England and America so I’ve got a few new ideas we can implement.”
Waller said his recent Japanese trip was an eye-opener.
“They have indoor tracks for the horses to work on,” he said.
“So if it’s too cold or too hot, they are perfect.
“It was my first time there to see how they do things.”
As well as his Sydney stables at Rosehill and Warwick Farm, Waller has a 25-horse set-up at Flemington in Melbourne and is renovating his new complex at the Gold Coast.
While Winx sits at the top of the tree, Waller also has some other Group One ammunition with Egg Tart, Foxplay and Omei Sword leading the pack.
Winner of the Group Two Silver Shadow Stakes and runner-up in the Golden Rose, Omei Sword is scheduled to run in a barrier trial on Tuesday.
The talented filly hasn’t been seen since the Coolmore Classic during which she suffered a bleeding attack.
The stable has also bought a slot in the $10 million Everest but has yet to commit to one of its own horses or one from elsewhere.- AAP Racing
