Manzoice’s stunning Victoria Derby win typified master trainer Chris Waller’s uncanny ability to have his horses peaking for the big races.
They were the thoughts of Waller’s foreman at Warwick Farm, Craig Ritchie.
When asked to summarise yet another outstanding year for the premier New South Wales stable, Ritchie said Manzoice’s victory in the $2 million Group 1 feature over 2500m was of extra significance to him.
Ritchie has worked closely with the precocious three-year-old colt, who is currently enjoying a freshening-up period.
“Manzoice has always been a really nice horse,” Ritchie told HorseBetting.com.au.
“He’s really laidback, so he probably didn’t show a great deal (of potential) before he ran at Wyong first-up (finishing runner-up in a 2YO Maiden Handicap on July 28).
“He showed enough, but he didn’t show as much as he did when he won the Derby.”
It was Waller’s attention to detail – and care for all his horses – which helped Manzoice pull off his stunning late surge and salute in the VRC Derby with $21 winning odds back on October 29.
2022 Group 1 VRC Derby replay – Manzoice (1st)
“He’s in touch with everything and he makes all the daily decisions on every horse,” Ritchie said.
“He has a system in place where everybody is involved.
“And Chris never puts a great deal of pressure on horses in trackwork – he educates them.
“Because he’s not a punter he doesn’t overtrain them.
“He just gets them ready to race. And as a result, he gets longevity out of them.”
According to Ritchie, this is also why the great Nature Strip and Durston also enjoyed a 2022 to remember.
Because Waller leaves no stone unturned in the way he looks after all his horses, this was a big factor why Durston saluted in the Caulfield Cup as an emergency runner with $18 winning odds.
“It (this year) has been great, and it’s probably due to the systems that Chris has in place,” Ritchie said.
“Obviously, it comes down to the stock too.
“You’ve got to have good horses, don’t you?”
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