IT appears Mount Gambier trainer Wayne Walters could have several runners lining up in the Mount Gambier Gold cup in five week’s time.
Last weekend’s results saw the Walters’ stable win three races in the space of four days and it will not surprise to see all three gallopers front up at Glenburnie for the $50,000 race on December 1.
In what was a truly exceptional training performance, Walters produced the stayer Choysa for an amazing first up win over 2350 metres at Warrnambool last Friday with 59 kilograms on his back.
Apprentice Tahlia Hope told stewards that she could not restrain Choysa ($9.90) in the early stages and finally let the seven year old gelding stride to the lead mid race.
Despite not having raced for three months when he went around in some of the better staying races in and around Brisbane, Choysa kept finding for Hope in the straight to register a remarkable win.
Choysa has always shown plenty of ability over staying distances and one would think the gelding should be spot on for the Mount Gambier cup with another run under his belt in the meantime.
The following day at the very popular non-tab meeting at Avoca, the Walters stable took out the 1860 metre Avoca cup with Brigadier ($10) with two-kilogram-claiming apprentice Lucinda Doodt in the saddle.
At the same venue, the Jamie Opperman trained Normandy Lad ($7), ridden by Declan Bates, resumed with an easy 2.75 length first up win in the 1200 metre BM 52 handicap.
Stawell on Monday was the final leg of Walters’ trio of winners, where Jim’s Special ($10.50) was second up from a three month spell and won for apprentice Melissa Julius in the 2000 metre BM 58 handicap.
