CHRIS WALLER'S GROUP 1 MISSION IN NEW ZEALAND

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Chris Waller will be spreading his line of attack in search of Group 1 glory by sending his army to try and advance on different fronts this weekend.

While certainly not forsaking racing at his home base at Rosehill on Saturday after his horse’s heroics there on Golden Slipper day … Waller sends multiple runners in both the Group 1 Tancred Stakes and the Group 1 Vinery stud Stakes at Rosehill … his stable will also saddle runners in the $2 million Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington and in the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes over 1600m at Trentham.

For all that he has achieved, a Group 1 win in his homeland at this time would be another special result for Waller, who has selected Chica Mojito and Mare Of Mt Buller to be the stable flag bearers in the New Zealand feature on Saturday.

The former caught the eye with a third place finish in the Belle Of The Turf over 1600m at Gosford in late December and then followed that up with a win in the $500 000 The Lakes, also over 1600m, at Wyong in January.

The daughter of Zacinto then went looking for a taste of action in New Zealand and came away with a runner-up finish in the Dubai Classic, a Group 2 race over 1400m, with Ben Thompson in the saddle.

She made up ground quickly along the inside running rail after racing six lengths back in midfield early, only to be outgunned late by the more than useful Moxie, who has won five out of eleven starts.

Chica Mojito actually began her career in New Zealand having her first seven starts in that country … a period which, amongst others, produced a third place finish in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes at Trentham where she will return to race on Saturday for the first time in twenty-seven months.

Her best results in Australia have been her win in The Lakes and her placed outings in the Belle Of The Turf and the Tatts Mile.

Mare Of Mt Buller will clash with her stable companion for the third successive time on Saturday.

The daughter of Dundeel finished second behind Chica Mojito in The Lakes at Wyong finishing two lengths back when carrying 1.5kg more than the winner. Interestingly enough, Chica Mojito and Mare Of Mt Buller stated at odds of $17 and $14 that day … a rarity with Waller trained quinella.

Then they met again when switching their focus to New Zealand in the Dubai Classic over 1400m, with Chica Mojito winning their private battle again, finishing second compared to Mare Of Mt Buller’s fifth placing, although the latter was only 0.70 lengths behind Chica Mojito, again when carrying more weight (1kg) more than her stable companion.

“They’ve both come through their last runs well,” Waller told Weigh In.

“They remained at Cambridge Stud since their last start (in the Dubai Classic in New Zealand). That was a fresh up run for them … they had a break in Australia before that race.

“Chica Mojito was poking through on the inside,” continued Waller. “She probably just peaked on her run late. The mile will suit her better.

“Mare of Mt Buller finished out wide. She went back from the draw and took a while to wind up … and finished well.

“It is exciting for me personally … back to Trentham!”