Chris Waller-trained pair trial well

Chris Waller’s Qld manager Paul Shailer is pleased with Jaminzah and Veladero heading to Eagle Farm.

Champion trainer Chris Waller has used a proven winning formula by trialling open company stablemates Jaminzah and Veladero five days before their weekend assignments.

Jaminzah and Veladero will clash in Saturday’s Open Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

The pair had solid hit-outs in a four-horse trial at the Gold Coast on Tuesday with Jaminzah finishing third and Veladero fourth.

Both went to the line under strong holds and pulled up well.

Waller’s Queensland manager Paul Shailer said the trial had rounded the pair out nicely for Saturday.

“Chris likes to do that with his horses when he can. They are both experienced gallopers and are suited on Saturday in what is an even race,” Shailer said.

Jaminzah is having his first start since he finished sixth behind stablemate Estikhraaj in a 2000m-race at Doomben in September.

“But he was a good second first-up at Doomben last time in a good standard race. He usually goes well fresh,” Shailer said.

Veladero, a stakes winner as a younger horse, came from last to finish third at Eagle Farm three weeks ago at his first run since a spell.

“It was a good sign he is back near his best and Tuesday’s trial kept him ticking over,” Shailer said.

Veladero is raced by Star Thoroughbreds and Waller will have another runner for the syndicate, Cormac, in the Class Four Plate (2200m).

Cormac’s dam is Saint Minerva who won the 2009 QTC Grand Prix when trained by Alan Bailey at the Gold Coast.

“He is a genuine stayer with two of his wins at 2200 and 2400 metres,” Shailer said.

Waller’s stable in Queensland continues to perform with a treble at the Gold Coast on Wednesday.

The stable has had 74 winners for $8.6 million prize money since Waller set up the Gold Coast operation in August 2017.