Despite a narrow victory and a somewhat scrambling performance that tested the nerves of those who backed him at short odds, Steel Will demonstrated resilience to secure a win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Steel Will displayed remarkable determination when under pressure, finishing strongly to claim the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap over 1300 metres.
Following the race, Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller shared his significant spring carnival aspirations for Steel Will in a revealing interview.
“Steel Will is a nice, progressive horse,” Waller stated. “He is well bred and it is always good to have horses with (owner) Sir Owen Glenn and he has a good one here.”
Ridden by champion jockey James McDonald, Steel Will, who was heavily supported into $1.65 favouritism, won by a neck from the fast-closing Savvy Diamond ($13). Plagiarism ($5.50) finished a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
Waller conceded that commencing Steel Will’s Sydney campaign in a Saturday class race, so soon after breaking his maiden at Wyong less than a fortnight prior, was not “perfect placement.”
“He was on a quick back-up and the rain has just come so this was a stepping stone for the colt,” Waller explained. “It’s good to get some prizemoney in the back as it will make it easier to get him into the better races.”
Steel Will, a three-year-old colt by the esteemed stallion I Am Invincible, is out of Pittsburgh Flyer, the dam of the formerly outstanding mare September Run. Waller had previously trained September Run to two Group 1 victories in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and William Reid Stakes.
“I trained his sister September Run and she might have been the Champion Three-year-old of her year,” Waller commented. “Bearing in mind Steel Will is September Run’s brother, we will probably keep him to shorter races.
“We will look at either the Run To The Rose here or go to Melbourne for the Poseidon Stakes at Flemington. If we are thinking of the Coolmore it would be good to give him some experience up the Flemington straight.
“Steel Will has got the breeding and he’s got the looks so he has a lot going for him.”
Those seeking the best Australian betting sites would have found the finish a tense one before the favourite ultimately prevailed.
