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.
Dylan
Guest
With the value she's at I think she is one of the chances to finish top three, I don't say she will with conference I just think she is due and her efforts have been better then what is written, with boban if it's a wet track which most likely will it will show what a chamiso the horse is I just think with the form at the 1600 you can't put it past it, I am really thinking about weary now it's run against messene come from far behind and ran to the line greenly if it gets closer I think it's the one to beat.
Bondy
Guest
Brent I backed her Dear Demi in the Coolmore her form in the spring and at the odds she was an appealing gamble it was either her or Royal Descent there's no much between those two mares I believe.
Luke Andrews
Guest
Probably being a bit harsh on her Brent. She was great first up running on behind Catkins,and then sat 4 and 5 wide last start and battled on well. Her run was much better than it looks on paper as behind the first two it was a bunch finish and she had reasons not to be the one flashing home like Royal Descent. I think she can still cause some damage this autumn although I think she will be better suited next week at 2000m where she is already Group 1 WFA placed.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Any reason why you picked Dear Demi? Hasn't showed much this prep I have been quite disappointed with her actually. You're right in saying Boban hasn't been far away at all, although I feel as though he still needs to find something on the wet track.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Thanks Bondy, I agree in regards to the markets. Some horses are at absolutely ridiculous prices! Plenty of value to be found. :)
Dylan
Guest
If you look at bobans last couple if runs that he has beaten in he has not been to far away nor has her he had much luck, if their is a wet track well I wouldn't doubt him still, his form is outstanding at 1600 blows them away. I really think the only threat he has and it still hasn't won in Australia is weary he looks amazing quinella with him and bonan may not be so pricey tho I think it's one to get on.... Messene looks good to will be prominent tho I don't think he is in the same class although he did beat weary I just don't think he deserves to be favourite or do I think his in the same class as some of these horses time will tell my tips are bonan weary dear demi..
Bondy
Guest
Nice read Brent, good points lads too about the sodden tracks this time of year if also it was moved to a later date then it would also start to clash with the then Brisbane carnival which I think already does now ?. Also one could be seen as pedantic but most feature race days (the real big ones) the rail is not in the true position, always. I can't see Doncaster day getting to dead ground unfortunately. This markets crazed "Doncaster" Speediness is 20/1 and one at WFA last start and now drops in weight, Weary's one a Grp 3 "thats right a Welter " and is 6/1 almost eq fav , Messene's 4/1 fav and has beaten Ecuador, Malvia and Monton last start give me a break, these bookies are smart aren't they.Hawkspur at 10's ,El Rocca and Sacred Falls at 13's respectively are outstanding value they'll fight the finish out.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
That is a very valid point you have just made. I'm surprised we haven't seen more international runners come down this year. I was super impressed with Gordon Lord Byron on the wet track, that battle against Lankan Rupee as you highlighted will be an entertaining one. I'm concerned with how Zoustar will run on a wet track, don't think it will get close if the track is wet.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Nah I think you misunderstood me I agree that races on wet tracks produced less great races overall. Glad you got around to watching the Freemason v Northerly race, that one is a classic!
Luke Andrews
Guest
The Sydney autumn was always traditionally based around Easter as it is a period Sydney has ran with as a good time to visit and when the sun is shining the weather is great. When they went to set dates they chose to go later in the Easter window to give Melbourne air for their autumn carnival. As shown this year their is a very clear switch in focus and they didn't really step on any toes. However, what this has done is push The Championships into the colder, wetter period. It is interesting that the Spring Carnival is during the driest time of year and the Autumn is the wettest. This could attract a different type of international runner to the spring. The high chance of wet tracks will be noted in Europe. The quirks of Sydney autumn weather have long been one of the challenges facing our greatest horses and it will continue to be a factor for The Championships. What we have coming up is a cavalcade of our best staking their claim as being stars of the turf. All the races are quite open and we will see a number of genuine heavyweight clashes. I am really looking forward to Lankan Rupee against Gordon Lord Byron. And who knows how Zoustar will run?
Jack
Guest
Oh I was meaning that wet tracks produced less competitive/'great' races overall, not that there are less G1 races run on them. Was watching the Freemason v Northerly BMW and thinking it could be another exciting running this year, but then the rain comes and it ends up a slog to the line.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
This is true, it would be incredibly difficult to run it any other time apart from where they have it now. I'm amazed that you say there was less rain affected races, but I do agree with what you are saying in that it provides a much better contest on race day. Currently I work in a tab and since I started the amount of extra meetings that are crammed into the racing calendar has me gobsmacked.
Jack
Guest
It is frustrating seeing the best horses lining up each week and the tracks/weather letting everyone down. Unless they can improve drainage systems etc. I doubt much can change. I was going through the archives on youtube and realized how rarely any great races from the past were run on really rain affected tracks. Good tracks do provide so much better contests, and it's unfortunate Sydney has this issue every year. But with the Spring Carnival where it is I don't think there is any other time they could run the Championships, unless they moved it a bit earlier but then you are clashing with the Melbourne Autumn.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Great points Luke, I am also of the assumption that Boban will struggle if its wet as he has shown in previous runs on a heavy or wet track. If it's dry I'm more than willing to give him a crack as it's his favourite distance and he is a massive Randwick horse as you say. I'm interested as to why the Championships are held during one of the wettest periods in Sydney's year.
Luke Andrews
Guest
Fingers crossed the weather finally clears up and we get some drying weather. It would be a massive effort for him on a wet track. Probably can't win if it is wet. But if it is firm enough for him to show his acceleration, he is very much a Randwick horse and he will be incredibly hard to beat. It would also be great for Glyn to ride the winner.
Harry
Guest
This is true I hope Boban can get home for Glyn it would be fitting.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I'm much the same but I don't think he will win the Doncaster, more just getting some fitness for the QE. As for Fiorente it overshadows everything and takes a bit if gloss off the Championships, which will still be a cracker mind you.
Harry
Guest
Geeze I hope he can smash it! How about the sad retirement of Fiorente? Surely that will cast a massive bout of sadness over the championships. It won't be the same without the champ.