Waller’s triple threat has earned a combined $11.6 million.
Angel Capital ($3.90 TAB), marked as a group 1 winner-in-waiting, was a $400,000 yearling and now a stallion prospect for racing powerhouse Yulong. Joliestar ($2.60), a three-time group 1 champion and winner of more than $6.5 million, was a $950,000 buy for Cambridge Stud. Lady Shenandoah ($3.60), with three group 1s and $3.3 million in prize money, was a $525,000 buy for Hermitage Thoroughbreds.
Rounding out Saturday’s field is Joe Pride-trained Coal Crusher ($15), a winner of $2.8 million, and Bjorn Baker’s Caballus ($4.80), a $315,000 tried-horse buy for Darby Racing closing in on $1 million earned.
Who But Roo came to Crothers after meeting Vallender a million miles away from the high-flying circles of his rivals.
“I met him a few years ago when I was working at the chook farm doing maintenance, and he was putting in locks. We just got talking,” Crothers said.
“He just asked if I wanted to train his horse, and I said I didn’t want to get into training for anyone else. I’ve been burnt before by owners not paying, so I just had three or four myself, but I thought I’d give him a go.
“He’s done really well for Mark and he enjoys it because he’s a strapper now as well. He likes to be a part of it.”
Winona Costin, who had a winning double last Saturday at Randwick, rides Who But Roo. Crothers, 55, started riding trackwork as a schoolboy with Costin’s father, John Calvert, who was manager for Warwick Farm trainer Ron Leemon. He moved into training 10 years ago, and also spent a decade as a bricklayer.
Jockey Winona Costin after her win on Agrarian Girl in the Lonhro Plate last week at Randwick.Credit: Getty Images
It cost connections $1765 to race in the Expressway, and they are guaranteed at least $4000 in return, given the six-horse field, but Crothers said, “I don’t think it’s all about that”.
“He’s at his peak and how many chances do you get to race in those sorts of races, a small-time trainer like me?” he said.
“I’ve only got 12 horses in work and it doesn’t come around every day.
“I might end up with mud on my face, but he’ll be competitive, I know that.
“It will be exciting anyway to see how he goes.”
Arrowfield farewell Miss Finland
Arrowfield Stud announced on Friday that champion mare Miss Finland had died that morning at age 22.
A five-time group 1 winner, Miss Finland completed a remarkable double in 2006 when winning the 1200m Golden Slipper and 2500m VRC Oaks. She also won at group 1 level over 1600m in the Australian and Thousand Guineas, and at 2000m in the Arrowfield Stud Stakes.
Trained by David Hayes and part-owned by Alan Jones, Miss Finland won 11 of her 26 starts and earned more than $4.6 million. She produced 12 foals, including Stay With Me, which won the 2015 Thousand Guineas.
