Gai Waterhouse may have found a ready made replacement for her recently retired Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente after former European The Offer smashed his rivals in Saturday’s Sydney Cup.
After The Offer made a one-act affair of the $1 million Sydney Cup, Waterhouse declared: “Look out Melbourne Cup, 2014, here we come.”
Waterhouse was true to her promise after last week’s Chairman’s Handicap when she said that The Offer would “bolt in” the Sydney Cup.
And, that’s exactly what the ex Aidan O’Brien horse did as he made it three feature staying races in a row in the Sydney Cup.
The Offer gave Waterhouse and Tommy Berry their second Group 1 win for the day after they combined to win the Queen Of The Turf with Diamond Drille.
Berry was joined in an emotional embrace by mother Julie and father Kevin moments after he brought The Offer back to scale.
Berry said he called The Offer “Nathan’s horse” as he’s won two feature races on the stayer since his brother tragically died.
“The hardest thing is coming back here … Nathan was the first one to give me a cuddle,” an emotional Berry said.
“He’s not here to do that any more, but I’m glad I’m making him proud.
“Every race I win for the rest of my life is going to be for Nathan. He’s best mate, he’s my best support. I will never be able to replace him.
“Riding is something we love doing and I’m so fortunate that I’m able to do something that Nathan passionately loved.
“I sat beside Nathan’s bed for two weeks and he fought harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. Doing this is easy, this is nothing compared to what Nathan went through.
“Nothing in life is going to be hard compared to what he went through.”
Although The Offer eased from $2.70 to $3.30 favorite as the track was upgraded to a Dead 5, The Offer was gifted a lovely ride by Berry.
When Berry asked The Offer to extend, the five-year-old quickly zoomed past his rivals to surge to the front at the 250 metres.
The Offer cruised to a three and three-quarter length win from Opinion, another former import, $31, with one and a half lengths to Sertorius, $8.50 third.
Former Irish St Leger Voleuse De Coeurs faded to finish 12th after being trapped deep throughout.
– Racing Network
