AUSTRALIA’S leading trainer Chris Waller regards the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) “as the fork in the road run” for his gallopers Buckaroo and Via Sistina as he chases a record equalling sixth win in the prestigious Group 1 race at Flemington on Saturday.
Waller said for both of his runners that it would decide whether they would press on to the Cox Plate or the Caulfield Cup.
When they last clashed in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, Buckaroo left his rivals in his wake winning by three and a half lengths.
Via Sistina was sent out as a $2.60 favourite but Waller said she struggled on the heavy track and finished fifth.
Waller said on Racing.Com that Buckaroo had continued to have an exuberance about him and again Joao Moreira would fly in to ride him.
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“We need to see whether Buckaroo can put two races in a row together and we will take it from there,” Waller said.
Waller said Via Sistina had given every indication she could bounce back.
He said although Via Sistina has been his number one seed for the Cox Plate, she could be looking for more ground which could bring the Caulfield Cup into play for her.
Waller’s wins in the Turnbull Stakes have been with Preferment (2015), Winx (2017, 2018), Kings Will Dream (2019) and Verry Elleegant (2020). Lee Freedman has the record with six winners.
Via Sistina is $4.80 with PlayUp and Buckaroo is $4.40. Favourite is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Eliyass at $4.20.
