Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse Gais Tip Sheet

THURSDAY 18th SEPTEMBER - KEMBLA

Rail Position: +3M Entire

SWITZ (Race 3, 2:55pm, 1500m, R Bayliss, 56kg)
Switz was a bit plain first-up over 1200 metres at this track, beating just one rival home. However, we subsequently found mucus in his lungs so this may have been ailing him, and he’s open to plenty of improvement second-up with that now resolved and stretching out to a much more suitable 1500 metres. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 1, so Regan should be able to flow forward from there to take control of the race and dictate terms to suit himself and we've put a tongue tie on to assist his breathing which has the potential to bring about improvement. He needs to lift but he’s capable of doing so under more suitable conditions, and a forward showing would come as no surprise.

FRIDAY 19th SEPTEMBER - NEWCASTLE

Rail Position: True

FEARN TRICK (Race 2, 1:35pm, 1400m, A Hyeronimus, 56.5kg)
Fearn Trick ran a brilliant race on debut at Kembla. She did everything right and only felt the pinch inside the final 100 metres, so it was an extremely encouraging performance. As you’d expect, she’s taken plenty of natural improvement from the run and she strips fitter here so the step up to 1400 metres is a positive. She’s drawn to do no work in barrier 2, so we see no reason why she won’t roll forward once again to make her own luck on the speed. There are only two older mares in opposition so she's mostly up against her own age group which is another positive, and we expect her to take plenty of catching.

FRIDAY 19th SEPTEMBER - CANBERRA

Rail Position: +5M Entire

SHE'S A DAME (Race 4, 3:10pm, 1300m, L Beuzelin, 57kg)
She’s A Dame is pleasing us ahead of her first-up run. Her two trials have given her the right fitness foundation, and she’s kept on improving since her most recent hit out so she’s ready to rock and roll here. 1300 metres is a lovely starting point for her, and she’s drawn well in barrier 5 so Louis will be positive from there to try and take luck out of the equation. She ran well to finish a close third on debut at Nowra back in February so this is a very suitable starting point for her, and we expect her to be very competitive.

SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER - RANDWICK

Rail Position: +7m 1600m-W/Post, +4m Remainder

DOMINETTA (Race 4, 1:35pm, 1400m, T Clark, 55.5kg)
Dominetta ran a fantastic race to finish third when resuming at this track a fortnight ago. We knew the 1200 metres would be on the short side for her and so it proved, but it was an excellent pipe opener and she strips a lot fitter ahead of this second-up assignment. She’ll relish stretching out to 1400 metres, and whilst barrier 13 is a bit awkward Tim will be positive from there to try and get across into a more favourable inside position. This is a competitive contest but she’s not out of place, and with plenty of natural improvement forthcoming we expect her to be right there at the finish.

ELAMAZ (Race 5, 2:15pm, 2000m, J McDonald, 55kg)
Elamaz is delighting us ahead of his reappearance. He made a big impression when winning the Listed McKell Cup back in June, and we had this race in mind straight away so took the opportunity to send him for a well-deserved freshen up. He’s thrived in his time out and his two trials this time in have given him the right fitness foundation with which to resume, though he’ll certainly take natural improvement from the run. He’s drawn well in barrier 6 so he should be able to roll forward from there and settle in a handy position, and whilst he led to win last time if something else wants to go quicker than him he’s versatile enough to take a sit and get a tow into the race. He’s resuming in a competitive race but he’s a talented gelding, and we expect him to be right there at the finish.

VAUBAN (Race 5, 2:15pm, 2000m, T Clark, 57kg)
Vauban chased hard late to finish a brilliant third when resuming in the competitive Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes. He hasn’t missed a beat since then and he’s absolutely thumping his chest at home, so he couldn’t be in better shape ahead of this second-up assignment. We know he’ll relish stepping up to 2000 metres, so this will bring about significant improvement, and he’s drawn a lovely barrier in 5 so Tim should be able to settle him where he wants to in the run depending on how the race unfolds. He’s the top-rated horse in the field so he certainly sets the standard, and he’s the one to beat.

SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER - CAULFIELD

Rail Position: +6M Entire

THE PLAYWRIGHT (Race 6, 3:05pm, 1400m, M Zahra, 58.5kg)
The Playwright was a bit disappointing at The Valley last time. However, she’s not the first and certainly won’t be the last to underperform at that tricky track. Importantly, she’s come through the run in great shape and we can’t fault her at home so she’s coming into this in great shape. We’re excited to see her stretch out to 1400 metres for the first time as we think she’s crying out for it. She should be able to roll forward from barrier 11 and the slightly steadier tempo of this longer race should enable her to travel much more comfortably in the run, as she’s been chasing her tail the last twice. Mark’s one of the top Melbourne jockeys so we’re thrilled to have him aboard, and we expect her to bounce back and run a big race.

SIR DELIUS (Race 7, 3:40pm, 1800m, C Williams, 59kg)
Sir Delius got his preparation off to a super start when finishing a close second in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes. He’s taken plenty of improvement from that run, and he’s going to relish stretching out to 1800 metres here. He’s taken everything in his stride since heading south to our Flemington stable, and he’s a consummate professional so his fantastic demeanour is going to take him a long way as nothing is an issue for him. Craig got a lovely feel for him on Tuesday morning and couldn’t have been more impressed with him, telling me, “You’ve got a very nice horse on your hands Gai,” upon returning from his gallop which was music to my ears. He’s drawn an outside gate in 11, so Craig will have to be positive from there if he wants to get into a better position but there’s no better rider or judge of tactics than Craig so you can rest assured he’ll do his homework and know exactly where he wants to be in the run. We know he’ll ultimately be even more effective as he gets out to 2000 metres and beyond, but this race is a lovely steppingstone for him and we think it’ll take a good one to beat him so fingers crossed he can clinch Group 1 glory for us all.