Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse Gais Tip Sheet

WEDNESDAY 16th JUNE - CANTERBURY

Rail Position: +3M Entire

FARSET, Race 1, 1550m, 12.50pm, Z Wadick, 58.5kg 
Farset had been racing well all preparation before underperforming slightly at Kensington last week. He’s come through that run well so whilst he’s on a seven-day backup here, all the signs are positive and we think he’s ready for it at this deep stage of his preparation. Rachel felt he had to do a bit too much work in the run last week which just left him vulnerable late, so he had excuses and we’re prepared to be forgiving of his effort. He’s drawn an outside gate here and the 1550 metre start here is tricky because it’s a short run to the first turn and everyone wants a position, so Zac will have to press forward if he’s to get across and obtain a more favourable inside position. However, once he’s there he should be able to steady the tempo and control things to suit himself, and Zac’s 2kg claim is a big asset. The step up to 1550 metres is an unknown, but if he’s going to get it then it’ll be around this tight turning track. The distance and whether he can bounce back on the quick backup are the two queries he has to answer, but it’s a very winnable race and he rates highly so it’s worth rolling the dice and we hope he can register an overdue victory.

WAIRARAPA, Race 1, 1550m, 12.50pm, T Clark, 56.5kg 
Wairarapa ran a fantastic race on debut at Kembla. She settled quite far back in the run but she responded incredibly gamely for pressure in the straight and she wasn’t beaten far at the line, so it was a most encouraging performance. She hasn’t missed a beat at home since then and her recent gallops have been excellent, so she’s taken plenty of improvement from the outing and will be a lot more streetwise here. She’s up in grade and racing in town so it’s going to be tougher, but the she’s going to relish the additional distance so we’re confident she can measure up to the grade. Tim will let her land where she’s comfortable from barrier 7 but we envisage her settling slightly closer to the speed than last time, and we see no reason why she won’t take a step forward and be fighting out the finish.

DEMERZEL, Race 2, 1250m, 1.25pm, T Clark, 58kg 
Demerzel made a very encouraging debut at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago. Conditions were very testing on that occasion but she fought on bravely to the line and wasn’t beaten far at all, so she did very little wrong. She’s come through the run in great shape and taken plenty of natural improvement from it, so she strips fitter here and she’ll also have a better idea of her job too. She’s drawn a lovely barrier in 4 so Tim should be able to roll forward from there to secure the lead, and she’s going to be suited by the step up to 1250 metres so she’ll be able to travel comfortably in the run. She ticks plenty of boxes and we expect her to be right there at the finish.

ELIO, Race 3, 1250m, 2.00pm, T Clark, 57kg
Elio ran a very honest race to finish third when resuming at Kembla last time in what was a strong race for the grade. He has taken plenty of natural improvement from it so he strips fitter here, and we’ve reached for the blinkers not because he’s at all ungenuine but just to help him travel better in the run and eke out some further improvement. He’s stepping up to city-grade but we think the slightly longer trip will bring about improvement and enable him to measure up at this level. Tim will let him land where he’s comfortable from barrier 5 but we envisage him settling close to the speed and making his own luck accordingly, so if the cards fall his way we see no reason why he won’t be right there at the finish.

FLYING ARTISAM, Race 4, 1250m, 2.35pm, R Bayliss, 57kg 
Flying Artisam ran another very honest race to finish second once again at Kembla last time. He’s dropping back in trip to 1250 metres here on what’s a tight turning track, however we’ve reached for the blinkers not because he’s at all ungenuine, but just to help him travel better in the run over this shorter trip and to try and eke out some further improvement. Regan will let him land where he’s comfortable from barrier 9 but we hope he can roll forward and get across to settle close to the speed, as he’d be vulnerable to speedier types if he gets back in the pack and it develops into a sit and sprint. He’s stepping up to city-grade and it’s a competitive race as you’d expect for the money, so we’re under no illusions that he has a bit to find but we hope he can rise to the challenge and give this a good shake.

MO CHROI, Race 5, 1550m, 3.10pm, T Clark, 58kg 
Mo Chroi is thriving ahead of his first run in Australia. For an import he’s been incredibly straightforward thus far, and his professionalism and even temperament are going to take him a long way. His two trials have been excellent and his recent trip away to Newcastle switched him on nicely and did him the world of good, so he’s absolutely thriving and we couldn’t be happier with him ahead of this run. He was very lightly raced in Ireland with just two runs under his belt, finishing second on debut over a mile before breaking his maiden second-up over 2000 metres. That race has produced a few subsequent winners which is always positive and he’s also been gelded during his time off which can bring about significant improvement. 1550 metres is the perfect starting point for him as he’s a horse who wants a bit of ground and he’d be vulnerable to speedier types over anything shorter. He’s drawn a lovely barrier in 4 so Tim should be able to flow forward from there and land in a prominent position where he can travel comfortably in the run, and he’ll be well suited by an evenly run race. This is a lovely starting point for him and we expect him to be very hard to beat.

FORMAT, Race 6, 1900m, 3.45pm, A Hyeronimus, 57.5kg
Format ran a brave and improved race when finishing a close fourth over course and distance a week ago. He’s come through that run well so whilst he’s on a nine-day backup here, all the signs are positive and we think he’s ready for it third-up in his preparation. Adam knows how to ride him and he’ll try and do what he did last week from barrier 5, and we hope he can build upon that and go close again here.

THINK I WILL, Race 6, 1900m, 3.45pm, S Grima (2kg), 54kg
Think I Will gave us such a thrill when winning so dominantly at Kembla last time. He was the beneficiary of a masterful ride but he clearly relished the step up to 2000 metres, and he couldn’t have been more impressive. He’s come through that run in great order and he’s full of confidence at home, so we can’t fault him ahead of this outing. It’s a big step up in grade from a Kembla maiden to a midweek Benchmark 72 Handicap in town, so we’re under no illusions as to the challenge he faces. He’s also dropping back in distance slightly to 1900 metres which isn’t our usual preference, however this city-grade staying races can be very winnable and we don’t think he’s out of place. Siena is in fantastic form and takes a very valuable 2kg off his back which adds further confidence, and she’ll be positive from barrier 8 to try and repeat the front running tactics that were so successful last time. This isn’t going to be easy but once these stayers get out to the right trip they can string together a few wins so we have out fingers crossed that he’s got the necessary upside to be winning again here.

CONCHIERO, Race 7, 1200m, 4.20pm, Z Wadick (2kg), 61.5kg
Conchiero is delighting us ahead of his return. His two trials have been encouraging, and they’ve given him the right fitness foundation to kick off his campaign. He won his maiden over this distance but his best form’s over 1400-1600 metres, so this is very much a starting point for him and we don’t expect him to hit his straps until he’s deeper into his preparation. He’s drawn a slightly sticky gate in 16 so Zac may have to take a sit and ride him for a bit of luck, but if the leaders set a strong gallop it’ll certainly play into the hands of those finishing off from behind. Zac takes a valuable 2kg off his back, and if he gets a bit of luck in running we hope to see him hitting the line strongly to get things off to an encouraging start.