A chance meeting at the Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale back in May had a fairy-tale conclusion at Royal Randwick on Saturday for iconic kiwi trainer Graeme Rogerson when three-year-old filly (Our) Malambo scored at her first start from the all-conquering Chris Waller stable.
Rogerson and wife Debbie prepared the Duelled filly for four wins from twenty starts in New Zealand before she was entered in the Gold Coast Sale to be sold as a racing and breeding prospect. After failing to meet her $300,000 reserve Rogerson was mulling over what to do next with the filly he part owns along with Gavin and Shane Wealleans when he started chatting with Waller.
“I wasn’t going to give her away so when she didn’t make her reserve we had to think about what to do next,” said Rogerson.
“I happened to run into Chris and he really liked the filly. We had a good chat and decided to send her to him for a Sydney campaign.
“I’ve always liked the way Chris operates, right from the time I first met him. His record speaks for itself and with the money on offer in Sydney it wasn’t a tough decision, especially as we’ve always felt she could measure up to top company.”
Rogerson was confident of a good performance on the weekend after reports from the Waller camp indicated the filly was flying in trackwork.
“The communication from Chris and his team is first class and they told us she was really going well,” he said.
“James McDonald ride her in a trial and gave her a good report then Hughie Bowman galloped her on Tuesday and was very pleased with her work.
“She was up against it a little on Saturday with the weight she had so that’s why Chris put young Sam Weatherley on her to get the claim. He rode her perfectly and she showed a great turn of foot to put them away when she got into the clear.”
The victory was also a boost for her dam, the well performed racemare Dancing Song, who has a date with multiple Group One winner and former champion European three-year-old Almanzor who will commence stallion duties at Cambridge Stud later this year.
“I think it is a real coup that a horse of Almanzor’s quality is standing in New Zealand,” said Rogerson.
“We’re very excited to be sending Dancing Song to him as I think he has the potential to become a great stallion.”
Rogerson and his wife are currently gearing up for the start of the new racing season with a promising team of younger horses getting ready to make their debuts in the spring.
“We’ve got some terrific talent in the stable so we’re very excited about the new season,” he said.
“We’ve got five rising two-year-olds ready to trial already and amongst them are some cracking types, so I can’t wait to get them to the races.” – NZ Racing Desk
Photo by Trish Dunell
