Waltzing Matilda running for two

ELMONT, N.Y. – Waltzing Matilda officially toted 115 pounds when she upset the Grade 2 New York in her U.S. debut here June 5. But the daughter of Danehill actually carried a bit more weight than that in the New York, running the race while in foal, said her new trainer, Tom Albertrani.

Waltzing Matilda, who was bred to the sire Australia, was trained to victory in the New York by Tommy Stack. She was subsequently sold privately to St. Elias Stable and transferred to Albertrani, who is pointing her for the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga on July 24.

“The Diana will, in all probability, be her last start since she is currently in foal,” said Albertrani. “I don’t think we can go beyond whatever the amount of days they recommend in these situations. She’s the second mare I’ve had who raced while in foal. The first one actually did well, although obviously this horse is in a different league than that mare. And you certainly wouldn’t know she was in foal by watching her train.”

Waltzing Matilda, who was Group 3-placed in Ireland this year, breezed five furlongs over the main track in 1:01.20 here Thursday in company with stablemate Tradesman. She galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.60 over a somewhat-tiring track.

“The first time I worked her, she just kind of went through the motions, so I tried something different today and put her in company,” said Albertrani. “And I thought it was a nice work. I’ll train her here up to the Diana. She won’t ship to Saratoga until a couple of days before the race.”