July 15, 2013Newhaven Park bred Champagne Cath wins trial

Champagne Cath delivered a special moment for part-owner Tony Arnold when she won on debut at Rosehill. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph

Waller was reminded of that when the filly came out and won a barrier trial this week in style.
While Waller rolls out an army of runners at Warwick Farm today and tries to build on his record 160.5 metropolitan winners, punters should black-book Champagne Cath when she steps out in coming weeks.
“I did hope she’d make it to the Golden Slipper, but things happen for a reason, she might not have got close to the winner, she might not have got to the race, all I do know is we still have a good horse,” Waller said.
“I’ll give her two runs in this campaign, one a restricted race over 1100m, and her second start in the Silver Shadow Stakes.”
Waller said there was even the option of pushing on to the Group 1 Golden Rose if Champagne Cath lives up to her lofty expectations.
As for today at Warwick Farm, Waller said he was simply looking forward to enjoying the stable’s achievement for the remainer of the season. After the stress that came with the countdown to him beating Tommy Smith and Gai Waterhouse’s record 156 winners, which he did last weekend at Rosehill, Waller said it was important to relax.
“It’s important we still win races for connections, but it’s also important we have a breather,” said Waller, who was confident Amovatio could turn the tables on Pitcrew in the opener if he put it together.

THERE was a report last night trainer Wayne Hawkes had been allegedly assaulted with a “monkey wrench” at Flemington trackwork, with police and stewards now investigating.
Hawkes was not injured in the Wednesday morning incident.

Chris Waller with his wife Stephanie after he broke the Sydney season training record after Jockey Nash Rawiller rode Ooompa Loompa to victory at Rosehill Gardens Picture: Damian Shaw