By Brad Gray
Star filly Omei Sword is set to trial on Tuesday at Warwick Farm, launching her autumn campaign with all roads leading towards The Championships.
“She’s pretty straight forward. We backed off her after (her second in the Golden Rose). I just didn’t think she was quite ready to push on,” said Chris Waller.
“We erred on the side of caution as the autumn comes around so quickly. If they are not properly spelled you find it very hard to take on better horses. You look after a horse and they look after you. It’s as simple as that.”
Omei Sword's second to Astern in the Golden Rose
The daughter of High Chaparral will resume in the Light Fingers Stakes (1400m) on February 11, which is the same day Winx returns. She’ll then tackle the Surround Stakes and Coolmore Classic before aiming up at a possible tilt at the $3m Doncaster Handicap, with Waller chasing a remarkable five straight wins of the feature mile.
“I’m keen to keep her to the sprinting-miler distances. We all think High Chaps are middle distance, staying horses but I think they are good milers,” Waller explained, citing Shoot Out as an example.
“For this type of three-year-old filly you’ve got to be looking at racing against the older horses at the back end of the season. They have a good record because they get in with light weights.”
Sezanne is also set to kick off her autumn in the same trial heat as Omei Sword, with the Storm Queen Stakes (2000m) her autumn goal.
“We’re still learning about her. She did it all in one preparation last time. I hope we’re in a position to be able to keep them apart,” said Waller.
“A race like the (Storm Queen) will be her test to see if she’s an Oaks candidate or comes back to mile races.”
Sezanne's third in the Flight Stakes