Champion trainer Chris Waller saddles his first runner for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Chalk Stream who trials at Warwick Farm on Friday.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s world famous racing colours — purple, gold braid, scarlet sleeves, black velvet cap and gold fringe — will be worn by the rider of former English galloper Chalk Stream at the Warwick Farm barrier trials on Friday.
Chalk Stream is the first horse Hall of Famer Chris Waller has trained for the Queen. Waller met the Queen at Royal Ascot three years ago. The trainer and his wife, Stephanie, were even part of the Royal procession ahead of the fifth and final day of the Royal Ascot carnival.
The Queen has raced horses in Australia previously, most recently Carlton House, who Gai Waterhouse trained to finish third behind It’s A Dundeel in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
Chalk Stream, by former champion Sea The Stars, has raced twice in England for a debut second at Yarmouth before winning at Leicester over 2012m.
Waller has entered Chalk Stream for the opening trial over 1000m at Warwick Farm. His opponents include fellow English imports, Maximal and Selino, She’s Ideel and Snapdancer.
The second heat over 900m includes outstanding sprinter Lost And Running, Private Eye, Jamaea, Harmony Rose, Promise Of Success and Quantico. Promising two-year-old Shalatin is contesting a 900m trial against his own age later in the morning.
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Sejardan remains favourite at $3.70 on TAB Fixed Odds for what is regarded as the strongest renewal of the $2 million Inglis Millennium at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The rich two-year-old race has attracted a capacity field of 16 and includes four unbeaten youngsters —Sejardan, Sweet Ride, Pomade and Xtravagant Star.
The Inglis Millennium is developing as a “good horse’s race” with Castelvecchio winning the inaugural running in 2019 before training on to win two Group 1 races – Champagne Stakes and Rosehill Guineas, and ran second in the Cox Plate.
Prime Star won the race in 2020 and has been placed twice at Group 2 level since, while last year’s winner, Profiteer, was a beaten favourite in the Golden Slipper but returned this season to finish second in the Group 2 Blue Sapphire before winning over the Cup Carnival.
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It’s been a week for retirements in racing — Group 1-winning trainers Bryan Guy and Murray Baker both announced they will soon be leaving the sport and now the Australian Turf Club’s long serving executive chef George Mullen.
Mullen, who started at ATC as a casual chef 30 years ago before being promoted to the top post in 2000, is estimated to have prepared meals for nearly 10 million guests during his tenure at the club.
During this time, Mullen and his team have prepared meals for royalty, Prime Ministers from four nations, a Pope and US President Bill Clinton.
Originally published as Imported galloper Chalk Stream to make his first Australian appearance in Warwick Farm trial