Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse Gais Tip Sheet

Tuesday 16th DECEMBER - BEAUMONT NEWCASTLE

Rail Position: +6m 800m - 400m, +4m Remainder

SIEBERT - Race 3, 1150M, R Bayliss 56.5kg

Siebert is doing everything right at home and is delighting Adrian and I ahead of this assignment. She has had two trials at Randwick to prepare her for this race, finishing second in both, and we loved her professionalism and the way in which she found the line well without being asked for maximum effort. These hit outs have given her a very good fitness grounding for 1150 metres first-up, and Regan will use her tactical speed to his advantage to flow forward from barrier 3 and land in a forward position where she can make her own luck on or near the head of affairs. Taking on older mares isn't easy to do, but there are only three of them at the top of the field so this is a lovely starting point for her and we expect her to be extremely competitive.

Thursday 17th DECEMBER - WARWICK FARM

Rail Position: +3m Entire

JET - Race 1, 1300m, T Clark 57.0kg

Jet has been doing everything right since his first-up run at Canterbury at the end of November. He helped to set a strong gallop on that day before only gave way late on, but he wasn't beaten far and it was a very encouraging return. We're confident the step up to 1300 metres will suit him, and Tim should be able to roll forward from barrier 1 to dictate a comfortable tempo that enables the horse to conserve energy mid-race. This should then help him deliver a strong kick rounding the home turn, and if he can steal a few lengths from his rivals we think it will be difficult for them to reel him in. He’s in very good order at home, and whilst this race isn't easy he has the upside to rise to the challenge and make his presence felt so we hope to see him fighting out the finish for you.

STEEL STRIKE - Race 6, 1400m, T Clark 59.5kg

Steel Strike ran a very encouraging race first-up when finishing third at this track. He settled in a handy spot and produced a winning run before just peaking on his effort late, but Adrian and I particularly liked the toughness he exhibited. He has taken plenty of natural improvement from that run as you would expect, and stepping out to 1400 metres now is the ideal progression for him at this stage of his preparation. Barrier 13 means Tim will likely have to press forwards in the early stages in order to cross the field and get into a better position, but once he gets to the front the slightly steadier tempo of this longer race should enable him to travel comfortably in the run. Some horses can race a little flat second-up off a big first-up effort, but all the signs at home have been very positive and if he can build upon what he's done so far it'll make him very hard to beat here.