On briefly flicking through www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au it is made abundantly apparent that the Lady Trainer has made Wednesday’s feature meeting at Newcastle a priority. Gai has accepted with nine horses for the Newmarket meeting and all of them appear to have genuine chances.
Race 1.
Gai saddles up two in his 1200m maiden. 5. Lone Ballad comes courtesy of the Gooree establishment while 9. Seductive Star will carry the all-conquering Star Thoroughbreds colours. Lone Ballad is making its debut after two great trial wins and Seductive Star has been labelled ‘the best of the morning’ recently on Gai’s daily trackwork reports. Both will be in the market.
Race 2.
7. Ecuador, being by High Chaparral and out of Bak da Princess, is destine to get over more ground in the coming years. However gelding was still sharp enough to win a recent trial over 740m by 2 lengths.
Race 4.
3. Magnetron is by former tough sprinter Magnus and out of a Zabeel mare. After breaking through for its maiden win at Wyong two weeks ago, Blake Shinn jumped off and mentioned to the waiting press that this horse will improve over more distance. At Newcastle on Wednesday the Star Thoroughbreds gelding jumps from 1200m to 1600m.
Race 5.
8. Hydro has had one start (at this track) for a seemingly disappointed 6th. However regular readers of Gai’s blog will have read multiple times, just how much this colt is improving with each gallop. The colt is by noted wet sire More Than Ready and out of group one winning mare Aqua D’amore. Also, take notice of the colt’s name. What is the weather doing at Newcastle on Wednesday? Any rains seems like it will be a plus for this colt.
12. Aztec Rose is another who heads to Newcastle for a second up run. This filly is by sire of the moment Sebring (along with Snitzel and Fastnet Rock) and should improve sharply second up. After three trials and one run, the filly is no doubt fit and ready for a good performance.
Race 7.
1. Laser Hawk is a group one winner and looks ideally placed in this race at Newcastle. Laser Hawk like his half-brother Desert War is a big gelding that needs room to move. The big track at Newcastle should suit him down-to-the-ground and if in doubt about his ability, look at who he beat in last year’s Rosehill Guineas.
12. Under The Sun is an underrated middle distance horse, that Gai has an enormous opinion of. Since joining the team at Tulloch Lodge, the gelding has only ever missed first or second place once in a race. That race was his last start and he was simply on the wrong part of the Warwick Farm track and could not accelerate when asked. On class and consistency, Under The Sun should be right in the finish.
Race 8.
4. City Of Light is another Star Thoroughbreds horse heading to Newcastle in good order. After four really nice runs this time in, City Of Light looks set for a big performance on the big track in the Hunter.
By Zeb Armstrong
