By Glenn Davis
Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller celebrated his induction into Australian Racing Hall Of Fame with his third Doomben Cup win from Comin’ Through on Saturday.
Waller won his first Doomben Cup with Metal Bender in 2010 before Beaten Up was successful in 2013.
He joins the late Tommy Smith and New Zealand’s John Wheeler with three Doomben Cups, one behind fellow Hall Of Fame trainer Lee Freedman.
It was Waller’s 82nd Group 1 win and his 11th for the season.
Comin’ Through, ridden by Michael Walker, made amends for his unlucky performance in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes by downing stablemate Egg Tart by a short neck to give Waller a quinella.
Japanese import Ambitious was third, a further 1-1/4 lengths away.
“It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s all about dreams and I’m lucky enough to be living one,” Waller said.
“I encourage all those aspiring young trainers and owners to keep following your dreams because it really is an amazing sport.”
Waller was delighted with Comin’ Through’s Cup victory as the four-year-old has been knocking on the door to win a race at top level for 12 months.
“He’s had a few Group 2 and Group 3 wins and ran second in the Group 1 Doncaster behind Happy Clapper so he’s deserved to win a Group 1,” Waller said.
“He was a bit unlucky in the Hollindale when he was pushed three deep and still did a great job to run sixth.
“I think he’s only going to get better and Michael gave him a gem of a ride.”
Comin’ Through’s win took his record to six wins from 17 starts and boosted his prizemoney past $1.67 million.
Waller was also pleased with the run from last year’s Queensland Oaks winner, Egg Tart.
“I expected a good run from Egg Tart as it was her first run at a suitable distance since her Oaks win last year,” he said.
Meanwhile Team Snowden completed a winning double when Secret Trail held on to claim the Listed Bright Shadow Stakes (1200m).
Co-trainer Peter Snowden praised winning rider Ron Stewart after Secret Trail downed the fast finishing Crystal Fountain by a half neck.
“It was a super effort. We came here with her to get Black-Type and she’s done that now," he said.
“It was a great ride. Ron (Stewart) is a talented rider with experience around the world.
“He had a ride for us at the Gold Coast so we thought we’d reward him with this ride today.”
Snowden who trains with his son, Paul, was successful earlier with Eawase in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes.
Racing Queensland webnews May 19