Racing
Waller maintains faith with Wodeton
Eskimo Prince Stakes a stepping stone to Newmarket Handicap for Waller colt
Chris Waller will soon unleash a string of proven Group 1 stars expected to be major players this Autumn Carnival, but another he still harbours elite-level aspirations with will get a head-start on them this weekend.
One-time boom colt Wodeton resumes in Saturday's $250,000 Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
The son of Wootton Bassett remains anchored on one career win, which came on debut now more than a year ago, but he has been runner-up in the Golden Slipper and Golden Rose and an ambitious early-campaign target underlines how well Waller thinks he has returned.
"He has come back well, really well," Waller said.
"He will go to the Newmarket as well after this race as he will get well weighted.
"James (McDonald) is riding him next Saturday."
The $2 million Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), a race Waller won last year with Joliestar, will be run at Flemington on March 7.
Waller and Wodeton's owners, headed up by Coolmore Stud, will get a good early line on how he has come back with glamour filly Tempted and emerging star Napoleonic heading his list of potential rivals in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, which on Monday attracted 11 entries.
Wodeton's preparations for a return to the races have included two low-key Randwick trials, a last of six over 850m on January 15 before a seventh of eight over 900m on Tuesday last week.
The Eskimo Prince will be Wodeton's first start since finishing 10th in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m), which was his maiden appearance beyond 1400m and the first time he'd finished further back than fourth, but Waller has not ruled out getting him beyond seven furlongs again.
"We chose not to run in the Lightning, but the Newmarket will tell us," Waller said when asked of his best distance.
"I won't hesitate to get him out to 1400m or 1500m.
"He has continued to develop and strengthen."
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