Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller is hoping he can secure his home track’s biggest prize on Saturday when he lines-up Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) in the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
The daughter of Rip Van Winkle won the Gr.2 Golden Pendant (1400m) at the Sydney track two starts back before disappointing in the Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick when finishing sixth.
Waller is looking forward to returning to Rosehill with the four-year-old but he said the rain-affected track is an unknown factor for his mare.
“She was a little bit disappointing in her last run but her form suggests she is better at Rosehill and she is also better when she gets a bit more room,” Waller said.
“We will be hoping that she can get out from barrier two and that she can cope with the conditions on Saturday. It is going to be pretty wet.
“She has got some soft track form and let’s hope that can be heavy track form after Saturday.”
Subpoenaed was initially trained in New Zealand by Tony Pike for whom she won her only start when raced as Subpoena.
Earlier on the card at Rosehill, Waller will line-up fellow Kiwi-bred Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park) in the A$1 million Yes Yes Yes Stakes (1300m).
The Ocean Park gelding was impressive earlier in his preparation when finishing runner-up behind compatriots Verry Elleegant in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) and Kolding in the Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m).
He subsequently finished unplaced in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Gr.3 Crave Plate (2000m) and Waller is hoping for an improved performance over Saturday’s shorter trip.
“James McDonald (jockey) said last start he had some legitimate excuses,” Waller said.
“It’s a gamble dropping back to a 1300m sprint at this level. That is our concern, but we have got no worries about the wet track, he loves it.”
