Gai Waterhouse sets sights on 2023 Melbourne Cup

Renowned trainer Gai Waterhouse is eagerly preparing for a shot at claiming her second Melbourne Cup victory, a decade after her initial triumph.

With a strong stable of stayers under her guidance, Waterhouse believes she has assembled a formidable squad for the prestigious race in 2023.

Waterhouse, in partnership with Adrian Bott, has five promising contenders back in training as they strive to emulate the success of Fiorente, their Melbourne Cup winner in 2013.

Leading the charge is Goldman, who has already secured a spot in the race after a stellar victory in the Roy Higgins Quality.

Joining Goldman is the promising and lightly raced White Marlin, who recently finished second in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes.

The squad also includes Knights Order and Hoo Ya Mal, who competed in last year’s Melbourne Cup, finishing ninth and twelfth, respectively.

Rounding out the team is Major Beel, the victor of the 2023 ATC Derby in his last start.

“You’ve got to have your horses in work now and you’ve also got to have a bit of ammunition.” Waterhouse told Racing.com.

“Hopefully we can get those five horses to the race, but in all likelihood, it could be only one or two.”

Waterhouse expressed her excitement about the group, highlighting the potential of Goldman, White Marlin, and Major Beel as the promising trio, while praising Knights Order’s consistency in staying races and the improved form of Hoo Ya Mal after a spell.

Bott confirmed that both White Marlin and Goldman would trial at the end of July, with the Caulfield Cup being the logical stepping stone for all their horses on the path to the Melbourne Cup.

The campaign for these talented stayers is set to commence in late August or early September.

With Waterhouse’s wealth of experience and an impressive lineup of contenders, racing enthusiasts eagerly await the Melbourne Cup 2023, where Gai Waterhouse aims to etch her name in history once again.