Caryl Williamson
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller has confirmed he is looking for permanent stables in Melbourne to alleviate the need to run stablemates against each other.
Waller often has multiple runners in Sydney races and says a southern base would help spread his horses and optimise the return to owners.
"I applied for boxes some time ago but there weren't any available," Waller said.
Chris Waller is looking to open up a Melbourne based operation
"I would like ten or even 20 in Melbourne.
"It would mean we would be able to send horses down there so they don't have to run against each other in Sydney."
The imminent closure of the Patinack Farm stables at Flemington means 50 boxes will become available due to Nathan Tinkler's restructure of his racing interests.
Waller said he had not heard whether any of those stables would be made available to him.
It has not been made clear to Chris if the Flemington boxes will be made available
"I don't mind whether they are at Flemington or Caulfield, I would go to either," he said.
A double at Rosehill on Saturday took Waller to 57-1/2 wins for the season which began on August 1 and more than 30 clear of rivals Gai Waterhouse and Peter Snowden who are both in the 20s.
One of his two Rosehill winners, Sacred Star, is being considered for a tilt at the Group One Levin Classic in New Zealand on Friday week.
Waller came to Sydney from New Zealand a decade ago and although he would love to go back and claim a Group One at home, it is likely the three-year-old will be under Tony Pike's name if he contests the race.