Champion trainer Chris Waller has a notable gap in his impressive resume, as he has not yet won the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
Waller aims to address this when Sixties competes in his colours during the 1600m contest for three-year-olds at Flemington this Saturday.
Waller has meticulously prepared Sixties for the Guineas this year, dispatching the colt to Melbourne to gain experience racing left-handed prior to Saturday’s event.
Similar to Riff Rocket in 2024, Sixties secured victory in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in early February, though Waller is optimistic for a superior outcome in the Guineas this time.
In 2024, Riff Rocket placed third behind Southport Tycoon as the $2.50 favourite before heading back to Sydney to achieve the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby double.
“He’s very fit and ready for his Grand Final,” Waller said of Sixties.
“He’s had the two runs back from a spell and both have been pretty impressive to my eyes.
“After the Golden Rose it was either the Australian Guineas or Randwick Guineas and we’ve got Autumn Boy in Sydney, so we decided to split them up.
“He needed to run well first-up, which he did, and he needed a run left-handed, which he did well, and he’s kept improving.
“It’s another step up on Saturday, but he’s the right horse to be able to do it.”
Damian Lane, who rode Sixties to success in the C S Hayes Stakes, will be aboard the colt again on Saturday ahead of starting a careless riding ban.
Sixties faces the challenge of barrier 10, the widest gate, along with Victoria Derby winner Observer, who returned strongly by taking the Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 7.
Waller noted that Sixties possesses versatility and, crucially, an excellent temperament.
“He’s led and won Stakes races before and he’s come from back and he’s sat wide,” Waller said.
“The beauty of Sixties is, he’s got a great temperament. Wherever Damian wants to be, he’ll be responsive and he will settle if he does ask him a question early.
“I think we’ll leave it to Damian, see how they leave the barriers, see how the first 200 metres suggests where other horses are.
“He doesn’t need to be too far away and if he wants to, he can settle.”
Waller identified Observer as the main danger.
“He’s a good horse and the distance will suit him,” Waller said.
“His first-up win was terrific and he looks very good, but hopefully he’s not as good as Sixties.”
Waller will also run Officiate in the Guineas, with Ben Melham aboard.
“He needs to improve a little bit. He’s a rough chance,” Waller said.
Explore the Australian betting sites for the top odds in the Australian Guineas markets this weekend.
