Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse Gais Tip Sheet

WEDNESDAY 22nd JULY - CANTERBURY

Rail Position: +8M Entire

THE LITTLE GENERAL, Race 1, 1100m, 12.50pm, Z Wadick (2kg ), 60.5kg
The Little General gave us such a thrill when winning so determinedly first-up at Hawkesbury. He absorbed plenty of pressure on that occasion but still fought on very bravely, and he clung on for a well-deserved victory. He has taken plenty of improvement from that outing so he strips fitter here, and we’re confident there’s plenty of improvement to come as a result. He sticks to 1100 metres for now because these 3 Year Old Benchmark 64 Handicaps in town are very few and far between, so it’s a terrific opportunity to take on his own age group for fantastic prizemoney and we’re keen to seize the opportunity. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 1 so Zac will once again be positive from there to try and repeat the front running tactics that were so successful last time, and his 2kg claim brings him down in the weights which is another big help. He’s taking on some progressive rivals so it won’t be easy, but he’s in great form and is full of confidence so we expect him to be hard to reel in once again.

ARGANSORT, Race 2, 1200m, 1.25pm, R King, 59kg
Argansort is delighting Adrian and myself ahead of his first start. He has had three trials at Randwick to prepare him for this race, so he’s as fit as we can get him and it was very encouraging to see him win his most recent one. These three hit outs have given him a solid educational grounding for 1200 metres first-up, and we’ve put blinkers on to ensure he’s as focused as possible as well as a tongue tie to aid his breathing. Canterbury is a tight turning track where we have a lot of success which adds confidence, and Rachel will be positive from barrier 3 to try and have him in a handy position where he can make his own luck on or close to the lead. He's shown us a certain level of ability thus far, and this wouldn’t be the strongest city-grade maiden so we expect him run a competitive race to get his career off to an exciting start.

FARFETCHED, Race 3, 1200m, 2.00pm, R King, 60kg
Farfetched has run two very honest races so far this preparation. She raced like a horse looking for further last time, which wasn't entirely unexpected but the option simply wasn't there to step her up in trip last time, and we had hoped we might get away with it. She gets the additional distance here with the step up to 1200 metres and it should bring about improvement. She’s got the speed to roll forward and get across from barrier 9 and Rachel gets a great tune out of our horses, so we’re delighted to have her aboard. This is a lovely race for her against her own sex and all bar one of her rivals are two years olds. Whilst it’s late in the season, it is difficult for two year olds to beat older horses so your filly, who’s more seasoned than them, is certainly at an advantage here. We would’ve loved it to be over a slightly longer trip but this race ticks all the right boxes otherwise, and we hope she can register a long overdue and thoroughly deserved first victory.

WATSON, Race 6, 1200m, 3.45pm, Z Wadick (2kg ), 61.5kg
Watson is in great shape ahead of his return. He was a revelation in the autumn where he ran some fantastic races against extremely talented opposition, so we can’t wait to see what he can do this time in. He’s kicking off in quite a competitive race but he was an impressive winner over course and distance in January, so we know he goes well here which adds confidence. Zac’s a capable apprentice who takes a valuable 2kg off his back, and he’ll be positive from barrier 8 to try and go forward and make his own luck on or close to the speed. He’s got form with sting out of the ground so we think he’ll get through the conditions, and we expect him to be right there at the finish to get his preparation off to an exciting start.

GRAPHIC SIGHT, Race 7, 1580m, 4.20pm, R King, 57kg
Graphic Sight gave us such a thrill when winning so determinedly at Hawkesbury last time. He relished the additional distance there, and whilst this is a jump in grade, the further step up to 1580 metres has the potential to bring about more improvement so we are confident he’s up to the challenge. He’s been back to the trials since his win to keep his fitness up to the mark between runs and Rachel knows how to ride our horses effectively, so we’re delighted to have her aboard. He should be able to slot in from barrier 8 and enjoy an even run in transit, and if he gets some luck in running we see no reason why he won’t be right there at the finish.

WEDNESDAY 22nd JULY - SANDOWN

Rail Position: +9M Entire

LADY MOSCATO, Race 2, 1000m, 1.00pm, J Stanley, 59kg
Lady Moscato is thriving ahead of her first-up run. She’s had three trials in Sydney so she’s as fit as we can get her, so whilst she’s conceding race fitness to her main rivals we aren’t concerned that she’ll lack conditioning. She’s taken everything in her stride since heading south to Flemington where she’s been before, and that previous experience is standing her in good stead as she’s extremely level-headed and the consummate professional which will take her a long way. 1000 metres is a suitable starting point for her and she’s drawn well in barrier 4, so given it’s a 400-metre run to the one and only turn she should have plenty of time to roll forward and establish herself in a handy position where she can travel comfortably in the run. She might still be a maiden but she has some terrific form to her name, including when finishing just over 4.5 lengths behind the eventual Golden Slipper winner in the Group 1 Blue Diamond in February. She’s matured and strengthened up nicely since then, and we’re confident she’ll be fighting out the finish here to get her preparation off to an exciting start.

THURSDAY 23rd JULY - WYONG

Rail Position: +2M Entire

WHACK ATTACK, Race 8, 1600m, 4.40pm, R King, 60kg
You can wipe Whack Attack’s performance at Canterbury last time from your minds. Nothing went his way and after being caught wide in the run, he understandably capitulated late and his rider wasn’t hard on him once his chance was gone. He’s dropping back to the provincials here to try and give him a confidence boosting run, and Rachel knows how to ride our horses effectively so we’re delighted to secure her services. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 3, so Rachel will be positive from there to get him into a prominent position where he can travel comfortably. He’s won over a mile previously so we know he stays and he’s got heavy track form which adds further confidence, so under these more suitable conditions we expect him to bounce back and fight out the finish.