Why September Run is the Right Horse for the Newmarket

Chris Waller is confident September Run is the right horse to win the Newmarket Handicap.

The talented three-year-old filly is second-up in the 1200m sprint at Flemington following her fast-finishing second behind stablemate Nature Strip in the Lightning Stakes last month.

Champion trainer Waller has explained why he believes September Run can vindicate her favouritism at her pet track, where she has three wins and a second from four placings all under jockey Craig Williams.

“I guess she is (the right horse), yeah. Her form is pretty good,” he said on SEN’s Whateley.

“It was great to see her first start against the older horses in the Lightning. She went well and finished off so strongly.

“She’s got the right profile. Obviously it’s easier said than done. It’s not an easy race to win, but we’ve got the right horse. As simple as that.”

Waller also gave some insight as to why the daughter of Exceed And Excel has such a penchant for straight racing.

“She is from a property that has got a straight track. From day one she’s worked up the straight every day of her life,” he added.

“There must be something in that. Maybe she’s got other attributes as well, but that’s the one thing I can certainly declare.

“She works on a straight track every day other than coming to Rosehill or Flemington when she’s doing her basic track work.”

Along with $2.20 TAB favourite September Run, Waller also saddles up $16 hope Imaging in the Group 1 sprint on Saturday.

Later on the same card is the feature race, the Australian Cup, over 2000 metres with the Waller stable preparing strong each-way chance Shared Ambition and old boy Humidor for the weight-for-age race.

“I see him (Shared Ambition) as more an 1800-2000 metre horse,” he said.

“We tried to make him stay and he failed last preparation so concentrating on a set distance has helped him.

“His run in the Peter Young (last start at Caulfield) was very good, he just didn’t have luck.

“He’s come through it well. He’s well prepared coming into a 2000 metre race of this calibre third-up.”

As for Humidor?

“He does go very well fresh and we thought it was the best way to attack the race.”

Waller also revealed that a big weight impost on Nature Strip prompted him to avoid the Newmarket Handicap and head towards the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick on the same day.