Search

show me:

Gun colts in tantalising Slipper preview

3 minute read

Chris Waller has eyes only for Switzerland as the colt prepares to take on another unbeaten youngster.

SWITZERLAND.
SWITZERLAND. Picture: Steve Hart

The juvenile action is set to ramp up a notch at Randwick with two of the top three fancies in Golden Slipper betting preparing for a showdown in the Pierro Plate.

Unbeaten colt Shangri La Express will launch his campaign in the 1100 metre race, putting him on a collision course with Switzerland, an outstanding debut winner last month.

Switzerland has drawn parallels with last year's Slipper winner Shinzo, also a son of Snitzel who is prepared by the same trainer in Chris Waller and raced by the same owners in Coolmore.

Notoriously patient with his young horses, Waller isn't getting caught up in the hype and says his sole focus has been on preparing Switzerland to the best of his ability.

"I have one job and that is to get him to the races," Waller said.

"I can't change the opposition, I can't make them run fast, but I can get him there in the best possible shape.

"I get his first-up win was very good. He has trained on well so that is a good sign."

After opening an equal $2.30 favourite with Shangri La Express, Snitzerland has firmed into $1.90 to be an outright top pick.

Shangri La Express initially eased to $2.60 before being supported back into $2.30.

The latter was spelled after posting a strong win in the Golden Gift in November, defeating Rue De Royale who franked the form with a closing second in last Saturday's $2 million Inglis Millennium.

Regan Bayliss has retained the mount on Shangri La Express after partnering him to his two wins, while James Mcdonald has his first race ride on Switzerland.

It will give McDonald a unique insight into the top echelon two-year-olds with the champion hoop putting Slipper favourite Storm Boy through his paces in a Rosehill barrier trial on Thursday while also being confirmed as the star colt's rider in next month's Skyline Stakes.

Like Switzerland, Storm Boy is raced by Coolmore after they secured a majority share in the Magic Millions winner earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Waller confirmed Shinzo was shaping well in his autumn preparations ahead of a scheduled return early next month, most likely in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.

"He has come back bigger and stronger," Waller said of Shinzo.

"We're pretty solid on the Canterbury Stakes (and we are) trying to get an indication on what weight he'd get in the Newmarket. History tells you first-up in the Newmarket is not easy."

The Newmarket Handicap (1200m) is at Flemington, also on March 9.


Racing and Sports

Randwick

Saturday, 17th February 2024

1
12:30
(local)

COOLMORE PIERRO PLATE

Age: 2yo Type: OPEN
AUD $160,000
1100m TURF SOFT
1
12:30
(local)
AUD $160,000
1100m SOFT

COOLMORE PIERRO PLATE

Age: 2yo Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 2. SWITZERLAND (AUS) 2yo C
SNITZEL (AUS) - MS BAD BEHAVIOR (CAN)
JAMES MCDONALD
CHRIS WALLER
$1.65
57kg
Coolmore (Mgr T Magnier), Wynaus (Mgr D Smith), Westerberg (Mgr M Ryan), J Poulin, Sir P Vela, Lynque (Mgr Ms L Ingham), Woppitt Bloodstock (Mgr Mrs D Kepitis), Peachester Lodge (Mgr Mrs L Huddy), Rockingham Thoroughbreds (Mgr J Ingham), Aristia Park Bloodstock, Meridian Bloodstock & K MacLennan

Sales Information

2nd 1. SHANGRI LA EXPRESS (AUS) 2yo C
ALABAMA EXPRESS (AUS) - SENT FROM ABOVE (AUS)
REGAN BAYLISS
G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT
$3.9
57kg
X Y Huang, Yu Long Investments (Mgr: Y Zhang), T M Johnston, L Brennan, W E Payne, G L Payne, K Staines, Mrs R Staines & Grandlodge Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: P Anastasiou)

Sales Information

3rd 7. EXTREME DIVA (AUS) 2yo F
EXTREME CHOICE (AUS) - ON A GIVEN DAY (AUS)
TYLER SCHILLER
ANTHONY CUMMINGS
$26
54kg
Think Big Stud (D Ramage), A McAnulty, Mrs L McAnulty, Peake Racing (P N Edwards), AHT Thoroughbreds (A H Tighe), W B Fornari, Mrs M N Annetts & Mrs D Bock

Sales Information

4th 8. FLY FLY (AUS) 2yo F
TRAPEZE ARTIST (AUS) - DAWN DAWN (AUS)
ZAC LLOYD
M, W & J HAWKES
$11
54kg
5th 3. DUVANA (AUS) 2yo C
DUNDEEL (NZ) - STAY WITH ME (AUS)
JASON COLLETT
CHRIS WALLER
$81
56kg

Sales Information

6th 6. TARDELLI (AUS) 2yo C
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - PIERRO MOSS (AUS)
KERRIN MCEVOY
JOHN O'SHEA
$26
56kg

Sales Information

7th 4. ENRICHED (AUS) 2yo C
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - MISS ATOM BOMB (AUS)
TOMMY BERRY
MICHAEL FREEDMAN
$7.5
56kg

Sales Information

What’s gambling really costing you?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au