Originally Posted by Chrome Prince

I've criticised Chris Waller previously on his handling of Altius.
Not just the handling of Altius, but the feedback given regarding the horse's prospects. It's very difficult when you run a large successful team of Group performers. Clearly Chris has the talent and the bloodstock to be so successful.
I think the problem is he doesn't have the time to devote to Altius, as there are much better horses in his stable with better prospects.

Danielle from CWR (Chris Waller Racing) has been taking Hawkspur to dressage training. Hawkspur wears a lot of gear to dressage. Side reins attached to the saddle, what appears to be a snaffle ringbit (could be wrong).
Hawkspur is nominated for a lot of big Spring races and the dressage training could be to calmn the gelding down a bit.

Perhaps Danielle could take Altius out to do some basic dressage but more importantly work on his gait and stride. Sure there is the risk of repeat injury, especially if schooling over jumps, but they are wasting their time and owners money unless this horse can win a Group race to improve his stud value. I don't see him winning any Group races, except by pure luck where the pace hands it to him on a platter.

Chris says "Altius will probably go to the Cameron Handicap for his next start and if he was to win that race, we would be kicking ourselves if he wasn't nominated for the Epsom."

So the Cameron Handicap and Epsom are his targets, better pray for a cracking pace, or the horse has no hope at all

Originally Posted by Chrome Prince

Interesting fact:

Altius has a full brother (a gelding) who it seems has retired from racing.
Coubertin was also trained by Chris Waller for some time and then transferred to Con Karakatsanis.

Coubertin Career Stats
Earnings: $21,310
Starts: 17
Wins: 2
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0

He won a Maiden at Seymour and an RB72 at Sale these were when trained by A J Vasil.
Chris Waller had no wins nor placings for the horse after training him for 5 starts.
Con Karakatsanis also trained him for a further 5 starts, for 0 wins, 0 placings.

He is (was) owned by the same owner/breeders.

So who was the bright spark who suggested gelding this beautifully bred horse

Originally Posted by Tayjack

My understanding is with the snaffle ring bit, that by using these in different types of training it helps the horses mouth salivate, therefore settling the horse. A horse(especially a racehorse), doesnt need a dry mouth when he or she is in work and or in the middle of a campaign. By using the saffle ring bit this will entice the horse to be using its inner mouth/jaw/neck muscles to produce saliva aided by the snaffle. Im no trainer, but with your comments chrome, altius could do alot worse than what you say above. Surely for the owners, if it is good enough for hawk spur to be treated in such a fashion, then why not altius? From what i am seeing on the racetrack you would think the owners have a right to be seeking answers??

Originally Posted by Tayjack

Diabolical to say the least!