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Chris Waller is one of the world’s most iconic Thoroughbred trainers and Australia’s National Treasure. Waller has been a staunch supporter of The Everest concept from the beginning when he purchased a slot himself and has already had one of his stable stars win the 2019 Everest Cup.
This year, although Waller is still mulling over his choice of the contender, Tabcorp has chosen his stable star Nature Strip, who was recently rated as the fastest sprinter in the world, as their Everest contender.
In a rare interview with Chris Waller, we find out more about his plans for Everest, the name of his favorite horse, and his aspirations for the stable.
Q: How is Nature Strip doing and what are your plans for him before the Concord Stakes? Also, what are your plans for Nature Strip post The Everest?
A: Now that he's a mature horse and a Group One horse, we are targeting the biggest races in both the Spring and the Autumn, which is what Australia specializes in. We are working around those big races. So obviously the Everest is a Spring target, and as we saw last year beyond that he went down and won the Darley Sprint Classic at Flemington on the last day of Cup week. He was in fact very dominant in that so because we know that works and we will try and follow a similar pattern. It seems to me that he's a little bit vulnerable first up and then continues to improve throughout his sprint this might be more because of distances.
Now the 1200 meters could be his best distance not just up the straight where he's unbeaten over the 1200 meter distance, but also around a bend as with his TJ Smith. They are promoting him as the top sprinter in the world that certainly suggests that he's as good as they need to be at the track and distance of Randwick. So working towards Everest obviously, I'm in consultation with the managing Mr. Rod Lyons who's a fantastic man to work with as is the whole ownership group. He understands the horses and he understands this horse very well. So he's very good to work with which makes my job so much easier. So we think together that the Gr.2 Premiere which is two weeks before Everest would be the logical leader. And therefore we would have a first-up run before that which would most likely be the Concord but there are other options if required. But he does seem quite versatile on all track conditions, but anything can happen and we like to keep an open opinion of lead-up races heading towards the target races.
Q: What kind of a horse is he? What are his special quirks? What are the things about him that make you smile? And what are the physical attributes that make him the fore-runner of this sport?
A: Well, he's an absolute gentleman to work with. He's a big strong boy. Doesn't require any fuss. He has no real quirks. He's just happy doing his thing. People think he's a horse that wants to jump and run like a leopard, but he's actually quite laid-back and made easier thanks to very good horsemen that work with the horse. I'm lucky to have some of the best track riders in the business and one of these rides Nature Strip most days. The thing that makes me smile about the horse is his speed. There are other horses with similar speed but they can't sustain it as he can. And even if he overdoes it he can bring himself unstuck. But basically, if you've got a horse in the race that wants to win the race and the jockeys are riding that horse within their comfort zone they would find it very hard for the horse to go with them. They have to respect his speed, and they have to respect their own capabilities because whether they beat him or not, they've still got to try and run second or third. Otherwise, if they do things upside down they will run last. So I think watching him race, seeing that speed and then sustaining it and then hanging on at the finish is a very rewarding result. It makes me smile.
Q: Do you foresee any international races for him over the next 12 – 24 months?
A: We would love to take him overseas. I see a sprinter, especially from Australia, has the vitals to travel because you can take them to their races fresh. Australia is very good at it stands on the top of the world with sprinters as well as other distances. But pound for pound and I think horses per capita I think we do a very good job with their sprinters. So obviously getting him to the big races around the world is something you love to do, but we're all in the COVID-19 mode
and barely getting barely brave enough to get a week ahead of ourselves everyone.
We will review again in 6 – 24 months when international travel may look like opening up. The beauty of Australian racing is prize money and the that we and the fact that we race 52 weeks of the Year we're in a pretty enviable position.
Q: With Yes YesYes retired, who are your current stable stars that you are looking at pointing towards your own slot for The Everest?
A: As we did with Yes YesYes, we will remain cautious about buying a horse or selling or horse-trading for some time. I think the beauty of having your own slot that you can see exactly how your own horses are going and what it may suit.
Q) In a recent story on Racing.com, you talked about how COVID19 was a positive influence on your and your stables’ work life. Will the work from home and digitization concept become more of a permanent feature for your stable?
A) I think it's changed all of our lives and put some reality back into it. It has made us understand that we're not robots. We do have to look after our time. Traveling just for the sake of getting to see something in person is not the be-all-and-end-all. In this day and age, we need to continue to move with the times and I find the Face Time and video calls very helpful. Also not having to travel in planes or in cars is a big bonus because it takes time and of course costs money,
Q) Do you visit the sales? If yes, what do you look at when you plan to buy yearlings? If no, which bloodstock agent do you work with, and again how do you plan your purchases BEFORE the catalog is out?
A) Yes, I do. When I'm planning to buy yearlings, I'm simply trying to invest people's money to the best of my ability and in doing that we do a lot of homework predominantly with Guy Mulcaster, but other bloodstock agents also consult to me, and I'm not Committed to Guy in any way in nor has he committed solely to me but we've got a very good relationship. He knows what I like and I certainly respect the horse. He buys but every bloodstock agent that gets Group One winners deserves respect. I understand that and appreciate working with all of them. And so many bloodstock agents over the years have been very good to me and entrusting their horses for their clients with me. And basically, if you buy a yearling you're expected to get a return on their (the owner’s) investment.
Q: How early did you get involved with owners? And how do you set their objectives/ aspirations?
A: Basically from the day the yearling is purchased, we will give them a plan, and then as the horse is educated and starts to come through the stable we keep regular contact with the owner(s) ensuring they understand what we're trying to achieve. We try and follow the plan as best as we can and I am realistic about objective and aspirations. And it seems to work well for the people we train for.
Q: What did winning The Everest mean to you last year?
A: It was a great feeling because everybody's been talking about Everest. Before that it was
Melbourne Cups and Cox Plates. In fact, I think that the Cox Plate has gathered a lot of momentum in recent years because people aren't becoming as familiar with the Melbourne cup runners any more as so many overseas horses coming to the Melbourne cup. It has now become a little bit harder for local horses to qualify for the Melbourne Cup. Therefore it's becoming a little bit foreign to the everyday person but what The Everest has done is it has brought about a talking point by. A lot of people they're seeing the horses like or the leading 2YO from the year before or the up-and-coming horses all coming together in the one race.
Obviously, The Melbourne Cup is here and is part of Australia's history. But so are Australian sprinters. And I think Redzel was a great advertisement for the race being a good sprinter and winning it two years in a row from its Inception setting the benchmark.
I would go on record as saying that think that last year's Everest was the best field it's assembled or at least attracted all the best sprinters from around Australia of that year. So to be able to win it not only do you need a good horse, but need a good team to make it happen and I'm proud of the team around me that do make these race wins happen.
Q: From a more practical perspective when you choose a horse for your The Everest slot what are you looking for?
A: First of all, I want to find a sound horse that you know is going to be there from the time you commit to the slot. And secondly, you've got to make sure that you've got a horse that can cope with all barrier draws.
You've got a horse that can cope with all conditions because there's no use having the best horse if he's or she's not going to be competitive on a wet track or a good track. So you got to try and think of all the options and don't think you would secure a horse just to win the slot. I think you could secure a horse to run the top three, which is a big windfall for all concerned.
I also think a mature horse makes the job a bit easier. It's hard to work out whether the 2YO from last year will be any good this year.
Q: Who are your current stable stars? And who is your favorite horse of all time?
A: I am lucky enough to have a very big team of horses. They're all good to me. There are multiple Group One winners in the stable. They will always hold a special moment in my heart. I've been lucky enough to train a lot of them and they're the ones that you remember as well as the ones through the early days of true importance in building your career. So I don't think it would be fair for me to mention a few of them, but we've got a very nice team being assembled for the spring an authority looking forward to the time.
My favorite horse……I don't even need to answer that question. It's not hard to work out.
Q: You have had the great Winx and The Everest cup winner in your stable this decade. What is your aspiration for the next decade?
A: Typically training winners. I've been lucky enough to be dealing with some really good horses for a long time. They are all exceptional athletes. I get emotional talking about how much it means to me. I'm not an emotional person but horses do mean a lot to me. He might not be the best horse. It might just be a horse coming home safe and talking about the horse that's been in the stable for a long time and fighting makes me emotional. I hope to continue to do the job to the best of my ability and continue to have a good team around me. That's my aspiration for the next decade.
Because I've seen in particular during COVID-19 what racing actually means to the community. We have got to continue to make sure it's socially acceptable. That's another duty that I have that I respect and racing's been good to me. It's got a great name, and it's my job to keep the name. To be talked about in the right way for the next decade and well beyond that.