Consistent Medatsu heads Waller’s Cup quintet

[Wandering Eyes]

Chris Waller will saddle up to five runners in his quest for a fourth win in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) but in a rare position for the champion trainer, all are set to start at double-figure odds.

Waller has First Light (Dubawai) ($101), Etna Rosso (Decorated Knight) ($26), Scarlet Oak (Kermadec) ($15), Medatsu (NZ) (Staphanos)($13) and Mr Waterville (Camelot) ($41) in Saturday’s 2100m feature and confirmed the market’s top pick of his quintet, Medatsu, would back up from his fourth in last Friday’s Listed Wagga Cup (2000m).

The gelding settled worse than midfield in the country feature and made late ground, Waller hoping a low draw in barrier two at Gosford would enable him to take up a handier position.

“From a wide draw the other day he just got a long way back so we will try to use the draw and have him a bit closer,” Waller said.

“He ticks a few boxes and he’s a decent horse.”

Medatsu has been racing consistently without winning, finishing fifth in the Listed Albury Cup (2000m) two starts ago before his fourth at Wagga and top jockey Kerrin Mcevoy sticks with him.

Waller has had to pivot the campaign of stablemate Mr Waterville, who was being aimed towards the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) but missed out on a start when he was made an emergency.

While his best form is over genuine staying trips, he has been freshened since a midfield effort in the Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) and Waller is hoping the Gosford race can provide a springboard towards next month’s Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m).

“He’s had lots of excuses along the way but he’s well and he’s a rough place chance on Saturday,” Waller said.

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