A wide barrier has left Chris Waller undecided on whether Jokers Grin will launch his preparation in the Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick, or stick to the initial strategy and travel directly to Queensland.
The ex-Perth speedster last competed when placing fifth in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) back in November, and he’s set for a first-up run with his new stable in Saturday’s Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) during the closing day of the autumn carnival.
That said, Waller is considering the impact of gate 11 as a potential issue before confirming the entry, though he notes the five-year-old gelding has thrived from awkward starts previously, including last year’s The Quokka (1200m) and Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot.
“His draw isn’t very good, but his owners were quick to point out he has run some really good races from wide draws, and he is a ‘get-back’ horse,” Waller said.
“I’ll have a good look at the field and the race, and if we think he’s a genuine winning chance or top three chance, we’ll be running him.
“If I think he needs another two weeks based on the set up of the race, we might wait two weeks. But at this stage he’s running.”
Originally, a Sydney autumn carnival run wasn’t part of Waller’s blueprint for Jokers Grin, as the gelding was earmarked solely for Brisbane action.
Nevertheless, a Queensland campaign remains very much in play, targeting the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on May 16 followed by the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight after.
“We intended to go to Queensland with him for a Group Two race in two weeks’ time, but he has come up a bit quicker than I thought, which is good,” Waller said.
“I think he can get to a race like the Doomben 10,000 and Kingsford Smith. They’re my two target races, and then hopefully he’s done enough to show he can get ready for the good ones in the spring.”
Waller mentioned that Jokers Grin has adjusted nicely to his new surroundings, and they have not pushed him hard in his recent barrier trials.
The top trainer also draws confidence from the gelding’s performances alongside stable companion Generosity, whom Jokers Grin beat into third in the Quokka, with the mare later victorious in the Challenge Stakes (1000m) and narrowly fifth in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m).
“It’s good form. Even Generosity has form around him too, and she has come over and franked that form,” Waller said.
Waller boasts a strong record with ex-West Australian runners, including victories in the 2019 Metropolitan (2400m) courtesy of Come Play With Me and a Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) with Arcadia Queen, who earned a berth in the 2019 The Everest (1200m).
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