Chris Waller will unleash a big team of quality horses at Tuesday morning’s Canterbury trials, including two colts many expect to be spring stars.
Shinzo and Militarize, who between them shared the Sydney 2YO Group 1 Triple Crown earlier this year, will make their first public appearances for their three-year-old campaign in 900m trials.
Golden Slipper winner Shinzo will step out alongside Group 1-winning stablemates Montefilia, Madame Pommery and Lindermann in Trial 1, with ATC Sires’ and Champagne Stakes winner Militarize to appear in Trial 3.
The duo rounded out preparations for the workout together on Saturday morning, which rammed home to Waller just how exciting things were about to get.
“They galloped together (Saturday) morning and going out onto the track I was nervous,” Waller said.
“You’ve got that spring feeling, it’s a good feeling to have. I haven’t had it for a little while but the horses we’ve got at our stable this year are giving me that feeling.”
Shinzo and Militarize head betting in all the big three-year-old Group 1s they are eligible for this spring.
Shinzo, a son of I Am Invincible and Samaready, is considered the horse to beat in the Golden Rose (1400m) and Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), while Dundeel youngster Militarize is favourite for the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and Victoria Derby (2500m).
Waller’s two wins in the Caulfield Guineas both came with Group 1-winning two-year-olds – J J Atkins winners Press Statement and The Autumn Sun – but he liked that his top three-year-old prospects had proven themselves earlier in the season.
“We’re always playing catch-up with our three-year-olds, every time,” he said.
“It’s (usually) a late Queensland horse that you hope is going to measure up, we’ve never had the proven ones or probably the horses behind them to back them up.
“You’ve just got to bring them up safely and make sure they get there, and then the only thing is, you’ve got to make sure they’ve come back because they’ve done a bit more than the ones you have looked after.”
Victoria Derby winner Manzoice, Cox Plate placegetter El Bodegon, recent stable acquisition Extremely Lucky and $3 million colt Kandinsky Abstract are among Waller’s other trailers on Tuesday, while J J Atkins winner King Colorado and Melbourne Cup fancy White Marlin are also entered.