Racing: Waller notches ton in Sydney

Photo / Thinkstock

New Zealand-born trainer Chris Waller is poised to celebrate yet another milestone after joining Sydney racing royalty's 100 club at Rosehill on Saturday.

Waller became only the fifth Sydney-based trainer to prepare 100 winners in a season when Velrosso opened its career in style, a victory that should also help him claim his first Sydney trainers' premiership.

With 10 Sydney metropolitan meetings remaining the 37-year-old from Foxton has 102 winners for 2010-11, a handy lead over premiership holder Peter Snowden (83).

Waller, who was runner-up to Snowden in 2009-10, emulated the deeds of the late Tommy Smith and his daughter Gai Waterhouse, Brian Mayfield-Smith and John Hawkes when Velrosso scored in the 1100m Birch and White Foods Handicap.

The 2-year-old colt's triumphant debut continued Waller's remarkable rise. Five years ago he had only 14 winners for the season. "It's a relief to get the hundred wins," said Waller, who also experienced success on Saturday with The Verminator and Little Surfer Girl.

"I don't know if it has sunk in yet, but it will be something to look back on with pride in years to come. They were, and are, some good trainers who have done this before.

"I wouldn't put myself in their company yet, but if I can get there, I will be a happy man."

Waller had hoped to break the 100-win barrier on his home track last Saturday, but his stable had a rare winless day.

A winning double at Warwick Farm on Wednesday then had him poised on 99.

In the opening race on the card Velrosso, ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Damien Oliver, missed the start and was made to work hard before winning by a head over Able Fast and securing Waller's place in history.

"We have had a good season and I've got to pay tribute to my stable staff who all work very hard," he said.

"The stable has had some good results, but I can see there is still room for improvement and we will make those improvements along the way.

"I have a long way to go and that is what has kept me going the past few years," he told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

Oliver rode all three of Waller's winners to rekindle memories of Golden Slipper day 2007 when he had a stakes double for Waller as well as taking out the Slipper and the BMW.

"I used to get blown away having people like Damien Oliver ride for me," Waller said.

"I still get blown away being able to train against people like Gai Waterhouse, John Hawkes and Peter Snowden. Just being able to train in Sydney is a dream and today is another dream. We're having an amazing run."

- NZPA