A Melbourne Cup victory by unheralded Australian-trained stayer Knight’s Choice has given rival trainer Chris Waller reason to dream of some lofty goals for his emerging talent Kadavar.
The latter brought up a hat-trick of 2400m wins with a tough victory in Saturday’s Listed Christmas Cup at Randwick and while it is a long way from Australia’s most famous race, Waller isn’t afraid to consider aiming him towards those sort of targets.
“When Sheila Laxon’s horse (Knight’s Choice) won this year, it just showed we don’t just have to worry about overseas stayers to win our big Cups,” Waller said.
“They need to be able to stay and for a horse that is out of an Oaks winner, and I’m pretty sure his sister is an Oaks winner as well, he’s four from four over 2400 so he can spell now and we’ll see how he goes.”
“I know it sounds crazy but staying is just a different caper.”
Kadavar is by Tarzino out of 2007 Victorian Oaks winner Arapaho Miss, whose daughter Miami Bound emulated her achievement in the same classic race 12 years later.
Waller’s four-year-old has taken a little longer to hit his straps but having posted distance wins at Rosehill, Caulfield and Randwick at his past three starts, Waller believes he is coming of age.
“He has turned into a winner,” he said.
“He has been up and down the countryside but he is enjoying his racing and he just keeps going to another level each time he runs.
“I think he’ll get to a higher level. That can do for this prep, but if you’ve got a good stayer, there are some good races.”
Kerrin McEvoy again showed why he is considered the eminent distance rider in the country, getting everything out of Kadavar ($10) to reel in Alalcance ($3.80) by a long head with Nikau Spur ($26) another 1-3/4 lengths away third.
Sea King was sent out a $2.50 wagering sites favourite but disappointed, finishing midfield.