Dawn Wall to build on promising comeback

Chris Waller has lowered his sights with Dawn Wall after admitting she was stretched beyond her capabilities during her maiden preparation.

The Fastnet Rock mare won four of her first seven starts but a Group One debut in the Queensland Oaks in June produced a ninth placing behind stablemate Egg Tart.

“She failed in the Oaks but that was a 2200-metre race at the end of a long prep,” Waller said.

“She did a really good job as a three-year-old, I just don’t think she’s an extreme distance horse,” Waller said.

Dawn Wall resumed in a Benchmark 95 Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on September 2, and Sydney’s premier trainer was pleased with her second to Washington Heights.

The four-year-old now lines up in the Group Two Shannon Stakes (1500m), as the $3.50 TAB second favourite behind Washington Heights ($3).

“It’s a nice stepping stone to be racing against the older horses on the back of a very good first-up run,” Waller said.

If Dawn Wall raced to expectation on Saturday, Waller said the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 14 could be an option, and longer term the Group Two Emancipation Stakes (1500m) appealed during the Sydney autumn carnival.

Waller wasn’t surprised Dawn Wall was effective first-up, where Washington Heights pipped her by a head.

“She won two (black-type) races as a three-year-old and stamped her authority so it no real surprise to see her come back so well.”

Waller also sends out 30-race veteran Good Project ($13) with hopes of a top-three finish despite the six-year-old having to lug the top weight of 59kg from barrier 10.