Meagher and Waratah to continue on winning way

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Chris Meagher and Waratah Thoroughbreds are hoping their long and successful association will continue when Security Advisor steps up in distance at Doomben on Wednesday.

Waratah Thoroughbreds principal Paul Fudge has been a great supporter of the Meagher stable in Queensland ever since Meagher’s father, John Meagher, opened a Brisbane stable more than 10 years ago.

“Waratah have been big supporters of ours and we’ve had at least 15 horses over the years with them,” Meagher said.

“We had some very good horses come through the stable for Waratah and only one horse in all those years didn’t win a race.”

Security Advisor was nominated for two races, but Meagher has elected to start the four-year-old in the Class One Plate over 2070 metres.

The son of Shalaa has started only seven times for a win and three placings during his career.

He was originally trained in Sydney by John Thompson but after four starts was moved on to Meagher.

“He won his maiden in Sydney on a heavy track and since he’s been with me, he’s run second three times,” Meagher said.

“He came to me with another horse who was sold to Hong Kong, but he didn’t come up in his first preparation, so I had to spell him.

“He later had a throat surgery and his three runs for me have all been very good.

“He’s won up to 1400 metres in Sydney, but we’re going to step him up in distance to 2000 metres from now on.

“He should be in the first four in the run so he should be hard to beat even with the rail out so far.”

Meagher has booked his stable apprentice Melea Castle, replacing leading apprentice Angela Jones who rode him last start when second to the Tony and Maddy Sears-trained Poetic Drama in a 1600-metre Class One at Eagle Farm on March 29.

“I’m confident he’ll run 2000 metres but if he looks like stopping at the 100 metres then that’s when I hope his claim will kick in,” Meagher said.

Meagher is also hopeful stablemate Billy’s Bro can win the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1350 metres.,

Billy’s Bro is coming off a last start fourth to Kips Bay in a 1200 metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm on March 25.

“Billy’s Bro is going very well and has been very consistent but has had a tendency to lay out, so I’ve changed his gear a bit,” Meagher said.

“He missed the kick by two lengths last start, and he’s never done that in his life.

“He’s a nice horse but mentally he’s taken a bit of time.”