Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Written by Paul Vettise
Champion trainer Chris Waller has dominated the G2 Phar Lap S. in recent years and he was again the dominant force at Rosehill, this time taking major honours with Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}).
Waller won his first Phar Lap in 2015 with none other than Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) and he missed out in the following edition, but then produced Foxplay (Foxwedge), Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock), Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) to land the next five on the bounce.
“It’s a good lineup that’s for sure. It’s been a good race to us and there’s no bigger name than Winx,” Waller said.
Hungry Heart had been out of sorts in her two previous runs, but Waller said the filly had genuine excuses and he hadn’t been put off her chances.
“I know people put money on horses and I feel everyone’s frustration, but we didn’t lose faith in her and we haven’t done anything differently with her,” he said.
“First-up she struck a wet track and was three and four wide and second-up she got into an awful spot in the race.”
“First-up she (Hungry Heart) struck a wet track and was three and four wide and second-up she got into an awful spot in the race.” – Chris Waller
All Waller’s previous Phar Lap winners were also successful at the elite level and Hungry Heart will be given her opportunity to join the Group 1 Club.
“The Vinery in two weeks’ time looks a good race for her,” he said.
Bred and raced by Yulong, Hungry Heart won the G2 Sweet Embrace S. as a 2-year-old and finished runner-up in the G1 Flight S. last spring. She is a daughter of Harlech (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and the next four dams on the page are all stakes winners.
Hungry Heart settled last in the running and produced an irresistible finish to lower the colours of The Irishman (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) with Impecunious (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) arriving late to cut Yaletown (Vancouver) out of third.
“I’ve been a bit frustrated and given her not the best ride and then she was a bit disappointing so it’s been a bit love, hate,” winning rider James McDonald said. “She got into a lovely rhythm today and won well.”
