CHRIS WALLER stopped short of declaring the Sydney premiership over despite training four winners at Rosehill on Saturday.
With eight meetings left this season, Waller holds a 22½-win lead over title-holder Peter Snowden and the quartet surely stamped his destiny.
He also celebrated a rare win as an owner when Grizz took out the Grand National Steeplechase at Morphettville in Adelaide for trainer Clinton McDonald.
“It’s been a brilliant day,” said Waller, 37. “I’ve got good owners and good staff – it’s a dream recipe. The premiership isn’t over yet but everything is going well.”
Two of Waller’s winners, Little Surfer Girl and Wazn, were ridden by Glyn Schofield who redeemed himself with the trainer after earlier being the villain.
Schofield was in the bad books when he caused interference on the Anthony Cummings-trained Kerchings to the Waller-trained Coup Ay Tee in the Perfection Fresh Handicap.
Schofield lost a protest for third place for the incident inside the final 100 metres.
He had no problems negotiating a path in the Civic Stakes, bringing 5-1 shot Little Surfer Girlfrom back in the field at the top of the straight to score an emphatic one and a quarter length win over Madibagold.
“He’s back in the good books,” Waller said.
A Aus$1.5 million yearling, Little Surfer Girl is one of the draft bought by Bob Ingham at the 2008 Easter Sale after he sold all his racing and breeding stock to Sheikh Mohammed.
Ingham anointed the up-and-coming Waller as the trainer for his new venture making Little Surfer Girl’s win that much more special. “It is special to win for the Inghams,” Waller said.
Part of the Waller strategy has been to buy tried horses from Europe including the former Freddie Head-trained Wazn and Mutawarath, who started off with William Haggas.
Wazn stepped up to 2,000 metres for the first time in Australia to take out the Gaypak United Handicap while Mutawarath surprised his trainer with his victory in the Banana Wholesalers Handicap.
“He’s a cheat and a liar – he certainly is not telling me the truth,” Waller said. “He is definitely a thinking horse but ridden back and quiet he showed what he can do.”
Although he would rather other people made the call on the premiership, the 37-year-old Waller backs himself.
“I’m not afraid to have a go and I’m at the right age to have a go,” he said.
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