Sir Bacchus in overdue Rosehill win
After a long injury break, Sir Bacchus has won the Octagonal Handicap at Rosehill.
On the same day Egg Tart made her way back to the winners’ list in Queensland, her talented Chris Waller-trained stablemate Sir Bacchus has also returned to form at Rosehill.
Soon after dual Group One winner Egg Tart claimed the Group Two PJ O’Shea Stakes on the Sunshine Coast, Sir Bacchus lined up in Saturday’s Octagonal Handicap (1400m).
With Tim Clark aboard, Sir Bacchus ($18) made a late lunge to edge stablemate New Universe ($9) by a half-head, with another Waller-trained runner Invinzabeel ($31) a long head third.
The race was the fourth of Sir Bacchus’ campaign after a long lay-off and his first win since he beat subsequent Group One winner Redkirk Warrior in a race at Moonee Valley in October 2016.
“He had six to eight months off with a low-grade lameness,” Waller said.
“He was never actually lame but he kept losing weight in his hind quarters, which is always a sign of pain.
“We couldn’t identify exactly what it was so we gave him a complete break and now he’s come back the Sir Bacchus of old.
“His owners Laurel Oak have been very patient and it was a good ride by Tim.
“He needs to get covered up and up to 1400 metres helped.”
Waller has no big plans for Sir Bacchus but it’s a different story with Egg Tart, who had not won a race since she took out the Queensland Oaks a year ago over 2200m, the same distance as the O’Shea.
“I thought she was a miler not a stayer,” Waller said.
“She had an eye problem before the Epsom and didn’t get there.
“This year I thought she could win the Doncaster but now it’s obvious she is better at 2200 to 2400 metres so the Caulfield Cup is what we will aim her towards.
“She should get into the race on a good weight and they’ve put the prize money up to $5 million.
“She is a very good horse and it would be great to win a race like the Caulfield Cup.”
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