The following is Gai Waterhouse’s latest blog :
My darling husband has been suffering through another sale. He moves around with the group and never complains, and never says boo. He is a calming influence that has a wonderfully objective view. Rob also individually prices every single lot in the sale and he is very rarely wrong. It takes him about three hours to do this, but it is just so valuable to know what to expect from the bidding. He never ceases to amaze me the quiet bookie!
As with the Magic Millions, everyone wants to tell you that the quality is down at the Karaka sales and this is just not true. The quality at the sales so far this season has been splendid. I was actually looking over the babies at Tulloch Lodge recently and there are so many different shapes. The babies from the Magic Millions sales, to a horse, all have the big rump that is associated with being built for speed. The Karaka babies are leaner with finer bones; their builds scream out “stayer.”
While I was away Randwick was literally under water. It was that wet. As a result we had to trot, canter and swim the horses (not in the flood!). The track was ok yesterday and we started breezing a few up.
Tommy was stunned with the gallop of Almighty Charge (Charge Forward x Redoute’s Fever) considering he is backing up this Saturday after a great run at long odds last Saturday.
Neil was taken aback by the work of Diamond Drille (Al Maher x Damzelle Pedrille). This filly just continues to improve.
Field Marshall (Danewin x Leander Hall) worked well with another promising youngster Blazing Snitzel (Snitzel x Trois Couleurs). Both will be back at the races very soon.
Rachael Murray told me that Jordan (Haradasun x Mystifying) has taken no harm from his recent hard run at Warwick Farm. He was another that was at long odds and ran a tremendous race.
According to Jason Fast Clip (Snippetson x Hint of Glory) is ready for a clash with stablemate Star Thoroughbreds Kinnersley (Al Maher x Miss Radiant) in the open handicap on Feb 9. We need more open handicaps. They are great races; just look at the Doncaster or the Newmarket. There is always a close / exciting finish.
I was told Gooree gelding Laser Hawk (Artie Schiller x High Heels) might need blinkers. And he well might, but every jockey that sits on him can’t wait to tell me how well he is going. He is one of the most exciting horses in the stable and I can’t wait to see him back at the track.
Star Thoroughbreds Raceway (More Than Ready x Claws) kicks off its preparation in the 1100m handicap tomorrow at Randwick. Raceway was only 3 lengths off Pierro in the Golden Slipper last year when running fifth, and he has clearly improved since then.
Upon This Rock (Fastnet Rock x Joleur) is back from Perth after winning a black type race. She is ticking along nicely and looks set for a good autumn.
Sugar Rush (More Than Ready x Sugar Babe) worked with Marseille Roulette (Zizou x Eclectus). The colt and the filly seemed to enjoy each other’s company! Marseille Roulette is backing his bags and heading to Melbourne for the Blue Diamond. He has progressed very well since his first start victory.
Rob and I just had the most delightful meal with our next door neighbours, a wonderful American couple. We talked a lot about current television shows and I realised that Rob and I very rarely even turn the television on, except for Sunday nights. Most of the programs seem to be very light reality shows that have very few real life consequences and are generally very light.
After the rain, the beaches are still a touch dirty. It is one of the real treats of living in Sydney, the view of the beautiful blue ocean. Hopefully all the mud and the dirty water washes away soon and the perfect view is back. Well I just got home and my bed is calling. Speak soon.
The trials this morning were a great success, I could not be happier with my charges as we build into the Autumn Carnival .
Source : www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
