Resolute reason for Waller filly to come up Roses

Posted by RS NewsWire at 8:27am on May 25th

It carries Group Two status, but The Roses will have a distinct Group One feel for trainer Chris Waller as he prepares to saddle up the first Australian runner for John Stewart’s Resolute Racing.

The American business tycoon created headlines earlier this year when he announced his intention to make an audacious play for the yearling filly out of Winx at the Inglis Easter Sale.

While he emerged as the underbidder, it didn’t take Stewart long to get back on top, paying $3.2 million for multiple Group 1 placegetter Tutta La Vita at the Chairman’s Sale, buying her as a racing and breeding prospect.

That filly will be the first to sport Resolute Racing’s black and blue silks in Australia when she lines up in The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday and Waller says that is significant for the industry.

“It’s a big thing,” Waller said.

“It would be great to have some more American investment and overseas investment into Australia.

“I think being so far away we often get forgotten, but other people will read into his (Stewart’s) presence here in Australia.”

With many overseas eyes watching with interest to see how the first of Stewart’s investments fares, Waller is understandably keen for Tutta La Vita to make an immediate impact.

The three-year-old has a single win from 11 starts but she is a three-time Group 1 placegetter and Saturday’s 2000-metre race will serve as a springboard into the Queensland Oaks (2200m) where connections hope she can claim her maiden major.

On the third line of betting at $5, Tutta La Vita is one of two Roses runners for Waller, along with the emerging Scarlet Oak, however, Waller feels Tutta La Vita’s experience could prove telling against the race favourite.

“She (Scarlet Oak) is very good but it’s only her fourth career start and she has had the trip from New Zealand, a trip to Queensland, I’m just a bit cautious of that,” Waller said.

“That’s the only thing separating them.”

Kovalica is the $3.50 favourite for Saturday’s flagship race, the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m), and Waller is happy to see him draw barrier three after a string of wide gates at his past four starts.

“Perfect. It’s a big plus, he’s had bad barriers for a long time,” Waller said.

“He’s looking for the distance, he’s waiting for a better track.

“I couldn’t be happier with him, I just want to see him do it.”

Kovalica finished third in the corresponding race last year as a three-year-old before backing up to win the Queensland Derby seven days later.

More Racing News

Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win

Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...

Dec 21st

Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention

Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...

Dec 21st

Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025

Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...

Dec 21st

Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024

One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...

Dec 21st

The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick

Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...

Dec 21st

Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova

Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...

Dec 21st

Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion

Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...

Dec 20th

Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize

Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...

Dec 20th

Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon

A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...

Dec 20th

Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge

Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...

Dec 20th