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| Staff Writer |
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Chris Waller will be crowned the champion Gr.1 trainer in Australia, at the end of the season, for the 10th-consecutive season.
Unfortunately with the exodus of stars from his stable at a time when, on the face of things, it doesn't seem like he will retain the crown next season as there doesn't appear a rush of likely replacements.
Verry Elleegant's move to Europe spells the end of her Australian career and colt Home Affairs is already on Coolmore's stallion roster for next season, while Nature Strip faces a return trip from the UK to be ready for The Everest at a time when he is turning eight years old.
That terrific trio won seven of Waller's current 10 Gr.1s this season and, of his A$45 million in stakes, earned from 1800-odd runners and 280 winners, more than A$18m was accrued by those three - Nature Strip (about A$10m), Verry Elleegant (about A$6.3m) and Home Affairs (about A$2m).
The trio has been recognised on the world stage too.
Nature Strip, with a 124 rating for his T.J. Smith Stakes win, is currently the equal-highest-rated horse in the world alongside US star Life Is Good, while Home Affairs is prominent also on 120 for his Black Caviar Lightning win and Verry Elleegant posted a 122 with her Melbourne Cup win last spring.
Even when Winx ran for the last time, Waller had an array of promising horses to turn to in an effort to at least partially fill the void.
In April 2019, Waller said farewell to the best horse he will ever train when Winx made her memorable exit with a win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes to finish on a mind-blowing 33-consecutive victories.
But just two months earlier, two most promising horses were transferred from other stables to make their debuts for Waller.
In the background to the potential change at the elite end of his stable, is a challenge from the south.
Waller has, as of Friday, won 280 races this season, while Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace have 263 - which represents a closing of the gap from last season when Waller won 340.5 races to their 275.
If a full spring campaign does not eventuate for Nature Strip on his return from Royal Ascot, it is not immediately evident where Waller's G1 wins are to come during spring, certainly from his most exposed stock.
His next highest rater away from that trio is William Reid Stakes winner September Run on 112 and on 110 is Kolding, who has not won for more than 12 months and solid middle-distance performer Polly Grey, who also turns eight next season.
Expected star of the autumn Fangirl (103) eventually won a Gr.1 (Vinery), while Espiona (94) took a sole Gr.3 race.