Trainer Chris Waller, holds up the trophy after winning the Myer Classic during Derby Day at Flemington. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
CHRIS Waller led the charge as NSW trainers, jockeys and racehorses dominated the Melbourne spring carnival.
Waller, Sydney's all-conquering trainer, is now recognised as without peer in the nation's training ranks after he prepared the most Group 1 winners during the Melbourne carnival and finished Cup Week at Flemington as leading trainer.
Theses successes came after he ended 2012/13 as the nation's champion trainer of Group 1 winners with nine majors, and smashed the all-time record for most wins in a Sydney season with an extraordinary 167.5 wins.
It is understandable that Waller became emotional when was asked to reflect on the enormity of his achievements in the last 12 months.
"I haven't thought out it much but I will feel very proud when I do,'' Waller said.
"We haven't changed anything but it has all come together very well for us over the spring carnival.
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"It is obviously a huge honour made possible by good owners, good horses, good rides, and a good team.''
Waller prepared six winners at Flemington during Cup Week including three Group 1 triumphs with Boban (Emirates Stakes), Zoustar (Coolmore Stud Stakes) and Red Tracer (Myer Classic).
From Caulfield Guineas Day, Sydney trainers, jockeys and horses proved excelled at racing's highest level.
Glyn Schofield and Chris Waller pose with the trophy after winning the Emirates Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for the VRC) Source: Getty Images
Sydney trainers won seven Group 1 races during this period including Gai Waterhouse's Melbourne Cup triumph with Fiorente, Darley's Peter Snowden prepared two Group 1 winners with Long John (Caulfield Guineas) and Guelph (Thousand Guineas), while John Sargent took out the Victoria Oaks with Kirramosa.
By comparison, Victorian trainers won three majors - Mark Kavanagh with Atlantic Jewel in the Caulfield Stakes, Robert Hickmott won the Caulfield Cup with Fawkner, and Danny O'Brien prepared Shamus Award to win the Cox Plate.
Brisbane's premier trainer Rob Heathcote also deserves special mention as he took three horses to Melbourne and won three Group 1 races from Buffering (Manikato Stakes, VRC Sprint Classic) and Solzhenitsyn (Toorak Handicap), while Side Glance won the Mackinnon Stakes for England's Andrew Balding.
Sydney jockeys were also to the fore with Nash Rawiller riding three Group 1 winners on Solzhenitsyn, Red Tracer and Kirramosa to be leading jockey, Kerrin McEvoy won twice at the highest level, with his Guineas double on Long John and Guelph, Jim Cassidy notched his 100th career major on Zoustar, and Hugh Bowman produced a tactical masterpiece on Polanski in the Victoria Derby.
Brisbane's Damian Browne rode exceptionally well right the through the spring including his Group 1 double on Buffering.
But Waller was the individual star of the Melbourne spring carnival - and he is also the trainer of the nation's two most talented gallopers, Boban and Zoustar.
Zoustar produced one of the most brilliant wins of the carnival in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day while Boban demonstrated his class to shoulder 57kg and win the Emirates Stakes.
Nash Rawiller had an outstanding Spring Carnival. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
"I haven't really wound either of them fully up to win yet,'' Waller revealed.
"Zoustar was specifically set for his race but we haven't really given either horse a gut-buster. It is exciting times ahead for them.''
Waller also dispelled the theory that it was difficult to keep a horse up from the Sydney spring carnival and have it race to its best through the Melbourne spring.
Both Boban and Zoustar won Group 1 races in Sydney earlier this spring and each was still winning at the highest level at Flemington during Cup Week.
"That is our system, once we get them fit they stay fit for awhile,'' Waller said.
"But both horses have come a long way this spring and have big futures.''
Waller said the domination of Sydney-based trainers, jockeys and racehorses during the Melbourne carnival is indicative of the high standard of Sydney and NSW racing.
"I am very proud, first of all, for our stable's results,'' Waller said.
"I was very happy for Gai to win the Melbourne Cup - that was nearly as good as winning it myself.
"People in Melbourne talk about how influential Sydney racing is and as a group, the Sydney horses did very well.
"If Gai and Peter (Snowden) and I are doing well then it shows Sydney racing is in a very good position.''
THE MELBOURNE SPRING CARNIVAL
Group 1 wins (Since Caulfield Guineas Day - October 12)
TRAINERS
NSW - 7
Chris Waller - 3
Boban - Emirates Stakes Schofield
Red Tracer - Myer Classic Rawiller
Zoustar - Coolmore Stud Stakes Cassidy
Peter Snowden - 2
Long John - Caulfield Guineas McEvoy
Guelph - Thousand Guineas McEvoy
Gai Waterhouse - 1
Fiorente - Melbourne Cup Oliver
John Sargent - 1
Kirramosa - Victoria Oaks Rawiller
VICTORIA - 3
Mark Kavanagh - 1
Atlantic Jewel - Caulfield Stakes Rodd
Robert Hickmott - 1
Fawkner - Caulfield Cup Hall
Robbie Laing - 1
Polanski - Victoria Derby
QUEENSLAND - 3
Robert Heathcote - 3
Buffering - Manikato Stakes, VRC Sprint Classic
Solzhenitsyn - Toorak Handicap
INTERNATIONALS - 1
Andrew Balding (England) - 1
Side Glance - Mackinnon Stakes
JOCKEYS
Nash Rawiller - 3
Solzhenitsyn - Toorak Handicap, Red Tracer - Myer Classic, Kirramosa - Victoria Oaks
Kerrin McEvoy - 2
Long John - Caulfield Guineas, Guelph - Thousand Guineas
Damian Browne - 2
Buffering - Manikato Stakes, VRC Sprint Classic
TOTAL RACES WON:
Victorian-trained horses - 36 wins
NSW-trained horses - 33 wins
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