Trainer Chris Waller has secured an incredible first six in this afternoon’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m); talented gelding Hawkspur charging home to beat Royal Descent in a photo finish and Bagman running on for third.
Hawkspur has charged home to win the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart
Jumping from the gates well, Hawkspur was immediately led to front by jockey Jim Cassidy, setting a reasonable tempo alongside Entirely Platinum and Royal Descent over the back straight.
Finding the final straight still at the lead, the Purrealist gelding momentarily dropped back into the pack before kicking well to finish just centimetres ahead of his classy stable mate.
Trainer Chris Waller was understandably thrilled to see his six entrants beat home all other runners in the Chelmsford Stakes, complimenting veteran jockey Jim Cassidy for an exceptional ride.
“Getting the first one over the line is most important, and they’ve all been very good horses to our stable and it’s just a privilege to throw a saddle on them on race day,” Waller said of his six Chelmsford Stakes entrants.
“20 minutes out he (Cassidy) said don’t be surprised if I go to ‘plan b’ and that’s ride him more positively if there’s not enough speed. We’ve got the fittest horse in the race; he’s had the two runs back from the spell and don’t be afraid to use it, and that’s what makes Jim Cassidy so great.”
Cassidy has experienced notable success aboard Hawskpur over the last year; partnering the five-year-old to exceptional victories in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and 2013’s edition of the Chelmsford Stakes most notably, and was pleased to have been allowed the option to think on his feet during this afternoon’s Group 2.
“I didn’t spend any petrol to get there,” Cassidy said immediately after dismounting.
“I said Plan A’s not to lead, but I want the option if I can – it’s not a change of riding tactics, but weight-for-ages are won by good rides and I thought if I had to option to go forward and lead.
“I think it was a winning move for him today.”
Saddling Hawkspur, Royal Descent and Bagman to the Chelmsford Stakes trifecta, Waller was also pleased with the performances of Sacred Falls, Moriarty and Junoob in placing fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
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2014 Chelmsford Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | HAWKSPUR | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | – | 5 | 59kg | $10 |
| 2 | 9 | ROYAL DESCENT | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 0.1L | 1 | 57kg | $4.60 |
| 3 | 5 | BAGMAN | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 1.4L | 4 | 59kg | $31 |
| 4 | 1 | SACRED FALLS (NZ) | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 1.5L | 3 | 59kg | $3.40F |
| 5 | 4 | MORIARTY (IRE) | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 1.7L | 2 | 59kg | $21 |
| 6 | 6 | JUNOOB (GB) | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 5.3L | 8 | 59kg | $41 |
| 7 | 8 | CRITERION (NZ) | David Payne | Hugh Bowman | 5.9L | 7 | 58.5kg | $5.50 |
| 8 | 7 | ENTIRELY PLATINUM (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | James McDonald | 7L | 6 | 59kg | $4.60 |
