Legendary trainer Chris Waller, a member of both the New Zealand and Australian Racing Hall of Fame hadn’t been to The Valley since the 2019 Cox Plate, some two-and-a-half years ago.
If that wasn’t an ominous warning to rivals on course that his arrival meant September Run was there to win the 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes – nothing was. But despite Australia’s most successful and most recognisable trainer being right there in the winner’s circle for everyone to see, his only Group 1 runner on the night was given little chance by punters and was sent around at $17.
Valley specialist Snapper led them at good fractions from the get-go and last year’s Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes winner Jonker zoomed up alongside him from the extreme outside gate. Looking to remain undefeated from eight starts, the $1.70 favourite Marabi had the nice camp on them in third, but there were a few signs of distress for those who took the shorts when the 200m sectionals appeared up on the screen.
Yes, they were flying. And soaking it all up was Craig Williams on September Run who was perfectly perched midfield with cover. It was closer than she had been in her two previous attempts here at The Valley, and when Marabi hit the front but failed to ping off the turn like she had done in the Oakleigh Plate – September Run was already right there on her hammer to launch an assault.
The daughter of Exceed And Excel let down with that brilliant turn of foot we’ve come accustomed to and Willo punched the sky as he captured his first Group 1 of 2022. For September Run it was her second success at the highest level after she won the Coolmore Stud Stakes as a three-year-old in 2020. The $600,000 prize for first place took her career earnings to a sizeable $2.2Million, but more importantly the triumph meant she is now a Group 1 winner as a filly and a mare – a key feat on any broodmare’s stud page and one the Hermitage Thoroughbreds team would have been chuffed with.
“There’s nothing better. Especially for night racing. Being so close to the action. Victorians know their sport so it’s good to be apart of it,” Waller said in his post-race interview.
True words from the master. The Valley was buzzing with thousands on course and combined with the pony race and Lance Franklin kicking his 1000th goal while fans were enjoying the track stomp – it was as loud as it has been in a long time and a fitting way to end the Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season for 2021/22.
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