A shrewd bit of placing by Chris Waller saw the Star Thoroughbred colour-bearer Chrysaor make a winning debut in Melbourne in Saturday's Listed Vale Black Caviar Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Winning for the first time since the $1,000,000 Group II Callander-Presnell at Randwick last October, the 4-year-old son of Better Than Ready came with a barnstorming finish under Craig Newitt to defeat the Nicconi gelding Nicolini Vito by a long-neck with Almanzor gelding Holymanz two and three-quarter lengths back in third.
With his second stakes win, Chrysaor advances his record to four wins, a second, and a third from 16 starts with earnings of $1,046,325.
"This was the right race. It is three weeks out from the Epsom or will stay down here for the Toorak," Waller said.
"He had a Queensland winter, which didn't really work out that well. Track conditions, barrier draws, and even today's draw wasn't perfect hence the reason we told Craig to go back and don't go too soon. He timed it very well.
"He looks great. They get their spring earlier in Queensland. He would have done his spelling and pre-training there. They're a month ahead of Sydney and Melbourne horses.
“I spoke to Mick Price before the race and he said not to worry (about the track), as this is as good a heavy 8 as you’ll ever get.
A $60,000 pinhook for Lionrock Bloodstock/Bevan Smith Bloodstock from the Yarramalong Park draft at the National Weanling Sale, Chrysaor was hammered down to Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $115,000 when offered by Bell River Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
From the family of Silent Witness and Sister Madly, Chrysaor is the best of two winners from three to race for the winning Choisir mare New Wings, a sister to 3-time stakes winner Religify and stakes-placed Shojiki (Redoute's Choice).
New Wings has a 2-year-old sister to Chrysaor named Neweva, who failed to make her $200,000 reserve at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
After foaling a colt by Better Than Ready last spring, New Wings revisited the Lyndhurst Stud Farm stallion.
