Gai Waterhouse holds a strong hand in The Metropolitan
Gai Waterhouse already holds the record for the number of The Metropolitan winners but rarely has the Hall of Fame trainer gone into the Group 1 with as strong a hand as she holds this year.
Not only do Waterhouse and her training partner Adrian Bott have all-in even money favourite, Just Fine, their support cast in the $750,000 2400-metre event comprises two Group 1 winners and a last-start country cup winner.
Just Fine, a six-year-old son of Sea The Stars, has been a revelation since arriving at Tulloch Lodge from Sir Michael Stoute in the UK, making it back-to-back wins to start his Australian career with an easy victory in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on September 16.
“He’s going from strength to strength, he’s a very talented stayer, both his wins have been eye-catching and he’s ticked over beautifully this week in his work,” Waterhouse said.
“He’s a rising star and he’s lightly weighted and you can’t beat those lightweight stayers, can you?
“He’s got a lovely turn of foot and he’s a really exciting horse. I can understand why they’ve got him favourite and he should be.”
Just Fine will carry just 50kg, at the other end of the scale to stablemate and Sydney Cup-winning topweight Knights Order, who has 57.5kg.
Waterhouse and Bott also have last-start Newcastle Cup winner Military Mission in with 51.5kg, while Major Beel gets to 2400m for the first time since winning the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby in April this year.
Major Beel has had three runs since a break after that win, the best of them a second placing in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) two starts ago, and Waterhouse is adamant he will love the step up in trip.
“This will suit him because he gets to a distance needs to get to, that’s what held him back so far,” Waterhouse said.
The Metropolitan was the first Group 1 win for Waterhouse, thanks to Te Akau Nick in 1992, while she won five of the seven between 1995 and 2001; Electronic (1995), Hula Flight (1996), In Joyment (1998), Coco Cobanna (2000) and Dress Circle (2001).
Waterhouse has also won with Herculian Prince (2010) and Glencadam Gold (2012).
More Racing News
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...
Sheza Alibi's move back to Pakenham imminent
The serious phase of training is fast approaching for Sheza Alibi.The exciting filly is drawing near the end of her northern sojourn in Queensland and will soon be repatriated to the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.The daughter of Saxon Warrior journeyed north following her stunning victory...
Cellarmaster triumphs in a tight finish to claim the Winx Guineas
In a thrilling conclusion, Cellarmaster ($5.50) narrowly pipped Platinum Pantheon ($6.50) at the post, with Rustemo ($8.50) trailing in third, more than a length adrift.Leading bookmakers noted Cellarmaster's winning dividend at $5.50, while the favoured runner Within The Law ($2.60) failed to live up to expectations despite being heavily supported.The...
James Healy celebrates first stakes win with Arabian Rose in Glasshouse Handicap
Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy has secured his maiden stakes victory thanks to the unheralded mare Arabian Rose, who triumphed in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on her home track at Caloundra.Initially listed as the third emergency when final acceptors were declared, Arabian Rose's place in the field was uncertain, with...