The humble author of this very article as well as writing weekly recommendations for the weekend’s racing for The Home of Racing also does a little writing for Gai Waterhouse. This weekend provides the biggest team of runners Gai has sent to the races in sometime and among all twenty of her acceptances, there is barely a horse that does not have a really good chance in its respective race based on the knowledge the author has of the Lady Trainer’s charges. Leaving out the five acceptors Gai has at Warwick Farm on Sunday, the average price of a Waterhouse runner across Moonee Valley (Friday), Rosehill (Saturday), Caulfield (Sunday) is $9 and of the 11 races she has runners in, Gai has the favourite in 6.
Moonee Valley
On Friday at Moonee Valley Gai has Cosmic Endeavour in race 4 up against Miracles of Life, Divine Calling and Countryman in the Stutt Stakes and the remarkably consistent The Great Snowman in the JRA Cup.
Best chance.
Race 4 No.9. Cosmic Endeavour. This filly had just the two starts for one dominant win and a good run in Brisbane. Yes she is up against Miracles of Life who may yet turn out to be a super sprinter, but Cosmic Endeavour has been training the house down and her one win was something very very special. $7.50.
Each Way.
Race 6 No.2. Divine Calling. The striking grey gelding has his new best mate Damien Oliver aboard again after the pair recorded a great win at this track two weeks ago. The wide barrier is the worry but it is hard to see the talented gelding missing out altogether. $4.60.
Rosehill
Ecuador, Masahiko, Aussies Love Sport, Julienas, Reuben Percival, Shahad, Greytfilly, She’s Bella, Driefontein, Order of the Sun, Hydro, Rain Drum, Ashokan, Our Desert Warrior and Knight Exemplar are the Gai Waterhouse runners at Rosehill on Saturday. Five favourites, five last start winners and some very promising types including potential superstars Ecuador and Aussies Love Sport.
Best chances.
Race 1 No.1. Ecuador. This gelding is one of the most promising horses in Australia. He is twos on this week but expect him to perhaps bolt in in this race then take that form to the Metropolitan and maybe even the Caulfield Cup. He has 60kg but he did beat a stronger field last start with 59.5kg. $1.50.
Race 2 No.2. Aussies Love Sport. A very exciting colt that has won his last two. He would have been well found in the Golden Rose two weeks ago, and this is a much easier race. $1.80.
Each Way.
Race 3 No.1. Julienas. This imported stayer cannot get a break at the weights. He has had three starts this time in and been forced to carry 59kg, 61kg and 59kg. This week he again has 59kg which is 4kg more than the second top weight. He is a little vulnerable when it comes to weight, but he is very consistent and he will be right there at the end especially due to this race being at his favourite distance of 2400m. $3.00.
Race 5 No.4. Driefontein. This now mare is, based on Gai’s assessment, much stronger, more mature and much better over the 1400m – 1600m. The mare’s first up win was sensational and if she has held that form she will be tough to beat again on Saturday. She is almost a tip but it is just the depth of the race that includes Red Tracer among some other really good mares that push her back to an each way option. $4.00.
Race 7 No.12. Our Desert Warrior. With Spurtonic and Ecuador, this brother of champion Desert War is one of the most improved horses in Gai’s stable. He has won his last two as easily as you will ever see and he still has plenty left to offer this preparation. Gai wants to get him into the Epsom so he will have to run really well in this race as to achieve that. $7.00.
Wildcards.
Race 4 No.4. Greytfilly. This talented grey mare can’t seem to get out of the barriers and she inevitably storms home for a good fifth or sixth. If she gets out of the barriers and sits just off the speed, her turn of foot might be enough for her to run really well in this race. $8.50.
Race 6 No.9. Hydro. Out of Aqua D’Amore, this colt has been out of luck at his starts this time in. He has a tonne of talent and if given a clear path, he might show us just what he can do.
Caulfield Sunday
Race 7 No.1. Romantic Touch. This gelding is the most interesting of all Gai’s runners for the weekend. He is a Group One winner over the mile and in that race he beat last start Golden Rose winner Zoustar. First up down the straight Romantic Touch run really well and he will be much improved around a bend. Caulfied is a little bit of a graveyard for Sydney horses, but the way Romantic Touch can lead and kick indicates he might actually love Caulfield. He is being aimed fairly and squarely at the Caulfield Guineas and anything he does this week, he will certainly improve on. $12 and a good each way bet.
Good luck and it could be a huge weekend for the Lady Trainer.
By Zeb Armstrong
