Expat New Zealand trainer Chris Waller will be looking for improvement from Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Who Shot Thebarman when he lines-up in Saturday’s Gr.2 Yulong Australia Hills Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

The Group One winner initially disappointed his trainer when finishing last to Winx when fresh-up in the Gr.1 Colgate Optic White Stakes (1600m), but his run was put into perspective after comparing the performance to previous preparations. 

“I was a little bit disappointed with his run, but going back to his previous (fresh-up) runs, he was beaten by almost identical margins of about ten lengths in his previous three or four preparations,” Waller said.

“He has come through the race well and I expect him to improve significantly. With the rain in Sydney this morning (Wednesday) and some showers expected up until race time, I think that will help the horses chances considerably.

“He’s drawn well in gate four, I thought he was a little bit fresh first-up and bottomed out a long way from home, but I think a nice patient ride from a good draw should see him steadily build and finish off at the right end of the race.”  

With Melbourne Cup ambitions in-mind, Waller said the ten-year-old gelding is set to tackle the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) next month, a race he won last season.

“Safely through Saturday’s race, he will most likely race in the Craven Plate in two weeks and then onto the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.”