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Barriers dent Waller's bid for record Group One wins

19 June 2019

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By Glenn Davis

Global giant Godolphin and a couple of local sprinters stand in the way of trainer Chris Waller’s bid to set a new record for the greatest number of Group One wins in a season in the Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Tatt’s Tiara is the final Group 1 of the season and Waller has the opportunity to rewrite the record books with his 18th Group One this term.

He is currently equal with the late Tommy Smith with 17 Group 1’s which the former Sydney icon set in the 1979-80 season.

Waller has five runners in the Tatt’s Tiara led by Dane Ripper Stakes winner, Invincibella along with Prompt Response, Noire, Egg Tart and Eckstein.

Prompt Response won last year’s Tatt’s Tiara when trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Invincibella is attempting to become only the fifth galloper to win the Dane Ripper-Tatt’s Tiara double.

Previous winners to claim the double were Cosmic Endeavour (2014), Red Tracer (2013), Tripping (1996) and Blushing Bijou (1992).

The barrier draw was not kind for Waller with Invincibella, the only stable runner drawing a single figure alley in gate nine.

Prompt Response drew barrier 14, Egg Tart 19, Noire 11, and Eckstein 18.

Godolphin’s trainer James Cummings registered his eighth Group One this season when Trekking claimed the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 8.

The Blue Army has three runners including $5 favourite Savatiano, winner of last month’s Group 3 Moreton Stakes at Eagle Farm and three-year-old Pohutukawa who drew perfectly in barrier five.

Godolphin’s third runner Multaja drew gate 13 and is third favourite at $9.

Queensland’s best hopes of capturing another Tatt’s Tiara rest with the Tony Gollan-trained Outback Barbie who drew the rails.

Gollan is overlooking Outback Barbie’s last run when she was caught wide and beat one runner home in the Dane Ripper Stakes.

Gollan reported to stewards that Outback Barbie had mucus in her throat following the race but a subsequent scope cleared her of any serious problem.

“She had a real blow after the Dane Ripper which is unusual for her,” Gollan said.

“She went way too keen that day so I’ve taken the blinkers of her.

“She hasn’t missed a grain since her last run and she’s working well.”

Godolphin’s stable spokesman Nacim Dilmi originally favoured Savatiano as the stable's best hope but switched to Queensland Guineas placegetter Pohutukawa after the filly scrapped into the final spot for the Tatt’s Tiara.

Racing Queensland webnews    June 19