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By Ray Hickson

It’s a race Fangirl doesn’t have on her CV just yet but given the events of a year ago Chris Waller says it would be touching if she can win the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Chris Waller (Pic: Grant Guy)

This time last year Fangirl’s life was threatened when a leg wound sustained in a stable accident became serious and she required urgent care.

History of course shows she pulled through and while she made a successful return in the spring the signs are she’s even better now.

She downed Via Sistina first-up in the Apollo Stakes then ran her stablemate to about a neck in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant over the Randwick mile.

“Fangirl has touched our heart, she missed the race last year because of injury and she was in a bad way so it’s great to have her back racing well and winning,’’ Waller said.

“She was favourite in the race when the problem happened last year, she’s a pretty special horse to us.

“The Apollo Stakes was a special win and she pushed Via Sistina last start. And I think both horses needed it.”

Waller’s star duo galloped in the early hours of Saturday morning, instead of a planned exhibition gallop on race day, and the reports were glowing about both.

Fangirl won’t have to worry about Via Sistina in the George Ryder, as going back-to-back in the Ranvet is Via Sistina’s target, and Waller sees it as a good chance for Fangirl, who opened $2.80 with TAB all-in, to get her name in lights once again.

While she has three Group 1 wins she’s often a bridesmaid with five seconds at the top level, three behind Anamoe, and two thirds.

“I’ll be interested to see how Fangirl runs because I think it’s her pet distance,’’ he said.

“She ran in it two years ago and wasn’t beaten far by Anamoe and not everything went her way.

“She’s a bigger stronger version of that so I think she’s ready to peak.

“They both had a gallop (Saturday) morning just to stretch their legs. Their regular riders were aboard and said they’ve come through their last starts really well and gone forward.”

Sydney’s champion trainer has won the Ryder seven times but not since Winx made it four straight back in 2019.

He’s set to have Group 1 winners Buckaroo and Kovalica resume in the race, with Militarize also among the entries, and it seems it’s the former that is pleasing Waller quite a bit.

Fangirl runs second at Randwick on March 1

Buckaroo and Kovalica worked together between races on the Kensington track on Thursday and are being aimed at joining Via Sistina in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“They’ve both come back well, Buckaroo is probably the sharper of the two,’’ he said.

“They’ve had good preps to get through the trials and are well prepared first-up.”

All the entries, form and replays for TAB Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill on Saturday