Waller In No Hurry to Extend Aeliana

Multiple champion trainer Chris Waller is set to take a measured approach with promising filly Aeliana this spring, mindful of not pushing the rising 4YO too quickly into longer distances. While the New Zealand-bred daughter of Arrowfield Stud's boom stallion Castelvecchio (Dundeel) delivered a strong performance to win the Gr1 Australian Derby (2400m), Waller doesn't foresee a focus on extended journeys in the early part of her spring campaign. "We won't be in any rush to get her to 2400m unless we have to," Waller remarked to racing.com . He reasoned that targeting longer distances too soon [with maturing horses] can lead to one-paced performances. "I just find it tends to send horses a little one-paced. And then all of a sudden, you're locked into long-distance races. As older horses, there's not really that many options." With limited opportunities for staying horses, Waller acknowledged the difficulty of committing to the longer races. "You've got the Tancred in Sydney, and you've got a Caulfield Cup once a year, but the options shorten up." Instead, Waller's plan for Aeliana this spring centers around middle-distance Group 1 races. "I think a horse like her – we will probably use the Turnbull or the Epsom, just to sort of tell us where we should be heading and whether she is a Cox Plate horse or not," he explained. The Gr1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and the Gr1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick are both scheduled for October 4. Waller will likely consider either of the premium events to gauge which target is best suited as a potential springboard for a Cox Plate bid (2040m). Raced by Denise Martin's influential syndication company Star Thoroughbreds, Aeliana is no one-trick pony for her sire Castelvecchio whose progeny exploded into prominence during the almost completed season. His other stakes performers during 2024-25 include Commanche Miss, Double market, El Castello (also a Group 1 winner), Onavuitton, Shangri La Spring and Verona Rose. Castelvecchio will stand the 2025 stud season at Arrowfield for $49,500 inc GST.

Highly talented Aeliana (pic: Steve Hart)