Chris Waller is excited about what the spring may hold – and why wouldn’t he be!

Chris Waller welcomes back superstar trio, Verry Elleegant, Nature Strip and Hungry Heart, to his Rosehill stables this week confident they can continue to play significant roles on racing’s big-stage as he looks to extend his record-breaking run as the nation’s leading Group 1 trainer.

Verry Elleegant, Nature Strip and Hungry Heart won nine Group 1 races between them during the 2020-21 season, helping Waller to 15 majors and the coveted champion big-race trainer title for the ninth year in succession.

Waller confirmed the “big three” had thrived in the spelling paddock since their successful Sydney autumn campaigns and “will start filtering back in” to his Rosehill stables this week.

James McDonald on Verry Elleegant beats Addeybb in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill. Picture: Mark Evans – Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Verry Elleegant’s five Group 1 wins – Winx Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Chipping Norton Stakes and Ranvet Stakes – ensures she claims Horse of the Year honours from 2019-20 champ Nature Strip.

But Waller admitted he hasn’t had a chance to discuss with the owners of Verry Elleegant a likely spring carnival program for the mare.

“From a weight perspective, the Cups (Caulfield and Melbourne Cup) are going to be really hard,’’ Waller said.

“You don’t see many horses win two Caulfield Cups in a row and it will all come down to how much the handicapper gives her in the Melbourne Cup.

“But we will look after her, see how she comes up and I can see her running in a lot of those races she contested last year.’’

Nature Strip, who won the Lightning Stakes and TJ Smith Stakes before his spell, has a more definite spring campaign ahead with his primary aim being the $15 million The TAB Everest.

“There is no rush with Nature Strip, the sprint races start a bit deeper in the spring,’’ Waller said.

Nature Strip gets a pat from James McDonald after winning the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Jenny Evans – Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

“But he’s done well in his break and at this stage the plan is probably to give him two runs into The Everest.’’

Hungry Heart won successive Group 1 races in the Arrowfield Stud Stakes and ATC Australian Oaks but she also has the speed to be competitive over shorter distances.

This has left Waller undecided on Hungry Heart’s spring program, a period of the season where the trainer has a history of being “kind” to his four-year-old mares.

“I don’t like to give four-year-old mares too much racing in the spring as I still see them as three-year-old fillies,’’ he explained.

Hungry Heart winning the Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill. Picture: Mark Evans – Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

“I might give them three runs, maybe four if they are going well then after Christmas they are more mature mares.

“Hungry Heart has had a great spell after an autumn preparation where she learned how to win.

“I can see her maybe going for a race like the Epsom Handicap with her target either the Golden Eagle, Cox Plate or the Caulfield Cup.’’

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ZAAKI proved he is the real deal with his effortless win in the Q22 Stakes at Eagle Farm last Saturday, capping a tremendous debut season for trainer Annabel Neasham.

The former English galloper didn’t dominate like he did winning the Doomben Cup by seven lengths last month – but he wasn’t asked to with jockey James McDonald giving the exciting gelding an easy time of it for his final race of the season.

But Zaaki needed to show his Doomben Cup romp wasn’t a one-off peak performance and his effortless Eagle Farm win completed an undefeated three-start Queensland campaign.

ZAAKI TOO GOOD! ?

He takes out the G2 Sky Racing Q22 for @ANeashamRacing & @mcacajamez ? pic.twitter.com/MU44tD7ZpK

Neasham is a skilled horsewoman as she has demonstrated repeatedly this season and, particularly with her decision to keep Zaaki in training for the Q22, confident in her ability to keep the gelding in winning form over an extended campaign.

Like Zaaki, Neasham’s star has soared into the stratosphere in a very short period.

Originally published asWaller welcomes back superstar trio

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