Chris Waller sent out a large portion of his spring carnival arsenal at Randwick’s barrier trials on Friday and it was his three-time Group I winner Boban stealing the show.
This time last year, Boban was gelded before resuming in a preparation that yielded five consecutive victories, two of which were at the elite level – The Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick and the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
In the autumn earlier this year, the son of Bernadini failed to recapture his scintillating spring form however he still managed to capitalize on a first-up It’s A Dundeel at Warwick Farm and record his third Group I win in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m).
At Randwick’s Barrier trials on Friday, Boban put in an eye-catching run in the third heat of the morning over 850 metres, picking up ground along the inside to finish fourth behind Godolphin’s Golden Rose contender Sarajevo.
It was Boban’s second hit-out this time in and is expected to return to racing this month.
Also in the trial for Waller was early Caulfield Cup favourite Our Voodoo Prince. The Group III-winning import was given an easy time at the rear of the field.
Earlier in the morning, Waller’s Group I-winning gelding Foreteller ran on late in the Group and Listed trial over 1250 metres, won by Gai Waterhouse’s Group I Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner Diamond Drille.
Diamond Drille got the better of imported stablemate Greatwood, who put in a forward showing at his second Australian trial.
In the following heat over 850 metres, Waller’s pair Hawkspur and Weary had a quiet time out the back while Waterhouse’s Group II-placed Ryker raced 5-1/2 lengths clear of Black Caviar’s relation Scandiva from the Anthony Cummings yard and Joe Pride’s dual Group III-winner Terravista.
Source: Racenet
