Champion trainer Chris Waller has established a pattern of success in Group 1 races.
Out of the six Group 1 events contested so far in the 2026-27 racing season, Waller has claimed victory in four.
Waller boasts a formidable lineup of five contenders for the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill this Saturday. Meanwhile, his sole representative in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Sunday will be Beiwacht.
Beiwacht, already a Group 1 victor for Waller this season after winning the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last month, underwent a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning to prepare for Sunday’s assignment.
Former jockey Steven Arnold, now a trusted track rider for the Waller stable, was aboard Beiwacht for his workout.
Arnold provided a highly positive assessment, noting that while Beiwacht typically excels over 1400m, the reduction in distance to 1200m should not be an issue.
“I was really happy with his work this morning,” Arnold stated.
“We were not here to test his ability, just a training exercise to get him out of the box and stimulate him a bit.”
“He did it all perfectly. He’s been here before, he gets on his right leads around here and he felt amazing up the straight.”
“His fitness is perfect coming back to the six furlongs (1200m).”
“I was very happy with his work and he’s ready to go.”
Beiwacht’s sole start this campaign resulted in a win in the Memsie Stakes, and the Waller team has allowed four weeks for him to recover and prepare for Sunday’s 1200m race.
“He hasn’t done a lot between runs and he’s a natural athlete,” Arnold commented.
“I think the six furlongs holds no fears for him, and he likes to dominate those seven-furlong (1400m) races.”
“It’s probably speed dependent and how much pressure there is in the race, but if he can get up on top of the speed and get into a good rhythm, which he does, then he’ll be highly competitive.”
Arnold highlighted Waller’s expertise in ensuring his horses are at peak performance for major events.
“He’s very good at aiming them at races and getting them right on the day as we saw with Angel Capital on the weekend,” Arnold remarked.
“He’s the boss.”
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