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It appears that Chris Waller has backflipped on his early plans regarding Boban this preparation, with the talented miler set to take its place in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) this weekend as The Championships begin at Rosehill.
The ultimate target for the campaign is to have Boban race in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) the following week.
Waller told TVN that while it wasn’t initially in his plans, the Doncaster Mile is now the best option to ensure the Bernardini gelding is in prime condition heading into April 19’s feature race.
“They are race horses, that is what they are here to do and there is no point just protecting them,” Waller said.
Boban will carry 58kg when contesting the Doncaster this weekend, and Waller believes he will find the starting gate in prime condition to contest.
“It is a three-million dollar race, he is fit and in good form. Yes he has a big weight, but he deserves it,” Waller added.
Boban was one of the stars of the 2013 Spring Carnival, completing a clean sweep of five wins from five starts including the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) to close his dominant campaign.
Regular jockey Glyn Schofield agreed with Waller’s comments, adding that the preparation needs to be strong for a quality weight-for-age race.
“Going three weeks in to a 2000 metre weight-for-age race like the Queen Elizabeth Stakes would not have been ideal,” Schofield told TVN.
The star gelding was unable to justify his favouritism in the in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) first-up this time, where he finished an underwhelming fifth. He followed that run up with a fourth in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) on February 22, before returning to the winner’s circle in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1500m) on March 8. His last start was a disappointing seventh behind Gordon Lord Byron in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
If there is one thing that is in Boban’s favour it is the step back up to the mile, where he will be aiming for his fourth consecutive victory over the 1600m distance. If he is successful, he will deliver Waller his fourth Doncaster Mile.
If Boban fails, there are plenty of other Waller runners who could get him the prize. Boban will be joined by Hawkspur, My Kingdom of Fife, Royal Descent, Sacred Falls and Weary in a race that is set to be dominated by the Waller Stable.
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