Darley Classic Review: Waller's Rogue

Published: 07 Nov 2015

A rogue no more - Delectation has always shown huge raw ability

The Darley Classic was touted as a match-up between the champions CHAUTAUQUA and TERRAVISTA, two Group One stars that took the top two positions in the same race last year.

TERRAVISTA is a hugely powered sprinter with a turn-of-foot quicker than almost any horse in Australia, or indeed the world, while CHAUTAUQUA has the ability to produce brilliant closing sectionals from the back.

So how did they get beaten?

The answer is that Chris Waller and James McDonald combined to get the very best out of the equally powerful DELECTATION, who had so much promise, but was far from the finished product. A brief look as his two most recent Group One starts shows you that he hasn’t always given his very best.

Delectation's 2015 Group One Form

Group One Newmarket over 1,200 metres on 14th March 2015

7th of 9 behind BRAZEN BEAU

Got back and over-raced off a slow speed, picked up OK very late

Group One Doomben 10,000 over 1,350 metres on 6th June 2015

9th of 15 behind SRIKANDI 

Raced keenly mid-race and was checked, made a brief sprint before his run peaked

Today he managed to turn around his wayward behaviour on the biggest stage, diving late between TERRAVISTA and CHAUTQAUQUA for a memorable win.

And now that he is turning into a more professional sprinter, Waller is tinkering with the idea of taking him to Ascot.

"I want to take a horse to Ascot again," Waller said, as reported by Racing.com. "I had an amazing experience. I'd like to think that's what the international people think when they come to Flemington, Australia.”

Not many other trainers have the patience to develop a talented rogue into a potential global star. Never dismiss a Waller galloper on the rise, he can find extra reserves in his horses that others can’t.

A patient approach - Waller's training style gets the very best out his gallopers