With nearly half the field it was no surprise to see a Chris Waller runner claim Saturday’s Listed ATC Cup (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens and it was the connections of the favoured Alward (IRL) who took home the trophy.
Given a peach of a ride by Hugh Bowman, Alward (IRL) struck the front inside the 300 metres and was untroubled to defeat his stablemate Black Gold (Sebring) by one and three-quarter lengths with the Joe Pride-trained Tamarack (Redwood) a short-half-head back in third.
Two years back Alward (IRE) raced through his classes with four wins in five starts but it’s been lean pickings since. He has shown improved form since sent to Waller’s Gold Coast stable and was coming off a win over 2000 metres at Doomben.
"It has been a while between drinks but he found winning form in Queensland and has come down in great condition," Waller told AAP.
"He arrived earlier this week and obviously the team up there do a pretty good job.
"The change of scenery for the horse just keeps them interested and Hugh Bowman gave him a beautiful ride.
Waller said he favoured the Summer Cup (2000m) on Boxing Day for Alward (IRE) rather than the Christmas Cup (2400m).
"I'd like to keep him around the same distance so I'm thinking the Summer Cup," he said.
"There is the Christmas Cup in two weeks but I don't really think he gets 2400m.
The 7yo gelding advances his record to 8 wins, 5 seconds and 4 thirds from 39 starts with earnings of $619,027.
Alward (IRE) is the best of four winners from five to race out of the winning Pivotal mare Sharedah who is a three-quarter sister to the stakes winner Laraaib and a half-sister to Maraahel (Alzao) who won two runnings of the Group II Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Alward (IRE) becomes the seventh stakes-winner for Shadwell Stud’s short-lived Oasis Dream stallion Aqlaam.
