Chris Waller is preparing to unleash another formidable group of stars this spring, with the champion trainer providing an update to Sky Racing and Channel 7 on several of his leading contenders ahead of next Saturday's Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Waller could have a strong hand in the Winx, with Autumn Glow looming as the horse they all have to beat.
"Whatever's ready to run will run, so there'll be a lot," Waller said of his potential Winx Stakes runners.
"They've got to be ready to run a tough 1400 metres at Group 1 level first-up. They're well prepared and it's an important stepping stone for them."
The field around him keeps building — Hugh Bowman has been booked for Fangirl, and Sheza Alibi has emerged as a possible starter rather than heading to the Memsie.
Here's how Waller assessed some of his major spring players.
Autumn Boy
Waller has been impressed by the maturity of Autumn Boy, who appears to have taken another step forward ahead of his four-year-old season.
"He's come back a more mature horse. Mentally he's just in the zone, which is the first thing I wanted to see.
"He's got a little bit stronger, he's very clean-winded and he's a very talented horse."
Waller believes the entire has the talent to establish himself at the highest level this spring.
Autumn Glow
All eyes will be on Autumn Glow if the unbeaten mare takes her place in the Winx Stakes, and Waller says she is getting very close to peak condition.
"It's great to hear James' enthusiasm and his excitement when he got off her," Waller said.
"With each piece of work she's done – the gallops, the trials, the exhibition gallop today – he's really felt the change.
"She's getting close to game day and she's in the zone."
Barnavara
Waller admits he is still learning about Barnavara, but there is little doubt about her natural ability.
"She broke rank in the gallop. She took off past a couple of the others and that's where she's at – she wants to get on and she's a little bit busy.
"2000 metres, no problem. I'm going to try and train her to be an Australian 1400, 1600 and then 2000-metre horse.
"We know the talent's there. We've just got to harness that early speed a little bit."
Beiwacht
One of Waller's established Group 1 performers is also firmly in the mix for a 1400-metre assignment, although Waller is weighing up whether to head to the Winx Stakes or Memsie Stakes.
"He's a Group 1 1400-metre specialist. He's run an amazing rating winning the Golden Rose and he's won the All Aged Stakes beating the older horses.
"It's his distance, so he's got to be ready to go."
The decision could ultimately come down to whether Waller wants him taking on Autumn Glow first-up.
"Whether it's there or the Memsie, I guess we've got to decide how can he beat Autumn Glow first-up. We've got to protect his value.
"If he's there, look out, because he's there to win."
Joliestar
Waller also pointed to Joliestar as an example of what maturity can do for an already talented racehorse, noting how she developed from a horse with obvious ability into a consistently high-level performer.
That progression is something he believes could now be replicated by another of his stars, Lady Shenandoah.
Buckaroo
There will be a change of approach with Buckaroo this spring, with Waller planning to keep him predominantly below 2000 metres.
"We're going to stick to shorter distances this year. It's his breathing.
"He does stay a distance, but his breathing holds him back when he gets over 2000-plus."
The Memsie Stakes at Caulfield is shaping as his likely first-up assignment before races such as the Makybe Diva Stakes and Underwood Stakes.
"I'd say he'll go to the Memsie because he loves Caulfield and it helps me split them up a bit."
Campione D'italia
Exciting three-year-old Campione D'italia has also made significant physical improvement ahead of his spring campaign.
"He's really muscled up and matured. He's a three-year-old now, so he's exciting.
"He's in for an awesome spring and the Golden Rose looks a perfect race for him."
Waller indicated the colt could potentially be freshened after the Golden Rose and brought back in distance later in the spring.
Lady Shenandoah
Lady Shenandoah could also join Waller's Winx Stakes army, with the trainer particularly pleased by how much she has matured mentally.
"She's matured. That's been the most noticeable change.
"She's now relaxed. She's not busy, and that's a noticeable change.
"We saw it with Joliestar last year. She went from a very talented horse to a consistently good horse. That's what I can see coming from Lady Shenandoah."
Waller ready for another huge spring
With the Winx Stakes now just days away, Waller says the pressure is beginning to build as his powerful team prepares for the start of the serious Group 1 racing.
"Today was good for us and my team. We feel the nerves. We want to be well prepared. We've got to be on our game."
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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