Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse Gais Tip Sheet

WEDNESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER - CANTERBURY

Rail Position: True

BETTER BY FAR - Race 1, 1.35pm, 1100m, T Clark, 55kg
Better By Far is delighting us ahead of her first-up run. Her two trials this time in have been excellent, and whilst she was beaten a few lengths when third in her latest one the winner is a four year old gelding and the runner up has since come out and won on debut at Kembla, so she was beaten by two nice types. These hit outs have given her a very good grounding for the 1100 metres first-up, and Canterbury is a track that regularly suits our horses’ racing patterns and where we have plenty of success. As such, we expect Tim to be positive early from barrier in 12 to get across and have her in a handy position where she can make her own luck on or close to the lead. She's shown us plenty of ability in her two career starts to date and plenty of winners have come out of these races which is always encouraging to see. We’ve been patient with her since then and given her all the time she needs, so she’s a stronger and more furnished filly now which should hold her in good stead. This race has quite a bit of depth to it but it’s a lovely starting point for her against her own age group, so with even luck in running we expect her to run a very competitive race for you to get her preparation off to an exciting start.

CALOOCAN BEAUTY - Race 2, 2.10pm, 1250m, T Clark, 55kg
Caloocan Beauty is delighting us ahead of her first-up run. She’s had four trials so she certainly won’t lack for fitness, and as such we’ve elected to kick her off over 1250 metres. She’s drawn well in barrier 5 and maps to settle just in behind the speed, so Tim should be able to settle her in a comfortable rhythm where she can conserve her energy mid-race. She showed ability on debut in January and we’ve been patient with her since then and given her all the time she needs, so she’s a stronger and more furnished filly now which should hold her in good stead. She obviously has her quirks with the barriers, but we’ve left no stone unturned regarding her gear and she’s been faultless in her last couple of trials so hopefully she has the same mindset come race day. This race has quite a bit of depth to it but it’s a lovely starting point for her against her own age group, so with even luck in running we expect her to run a very competitive race for you to get her preparation off to an exciting start.

ALBANY ROAD - Race 5, 3.55pm, 1100m, T Clark, 59kg
Albany Road found the 1000 metres a touch on the sharp side at Kensington last time, but he still closed off well through the line. His wins have all come over 1100-1175 metres including over course and distance here at Canterbury, so we know he’s suited by these conditions. He’s drawn a low barrier in 5 and tends to be ridden cold, so Tim will ride the race as it unfolds and let him travel where he’s comfortable. He’s had a stop start preparation owing to the vagaries of the weather, but this track’s rated a Good 4 today and with a dry outlook he gets his preferred conditions. He’s a fit horse at this stage of the preparation but his racing pattern tends to demand luck which you either get or you don’t, so fingers crossed he does as we’d love to see him back in the Winner’s Circle once more.

HELLABELLA - Race 6, 4.30pm, 1100m, R Bayliss, 57kg
Hellabella is delighting us ahead of her return. She improved on her first trial to win her latest one at Warwick Farm in good style, and these two hit outs and trips away from home have her spot on for this first-up run. She broke her maiden in town last preparation before not being disgraced at all when finishing 1.57 lengths from the winner at Warwick Farm, where she finished behind some older mares. The winner has also since gone on to place in a Stakes race, so the form is working out well. She’s got the early speed to roll forward from barrier 10 and get across to race on or close to the lead, and Regan’s learned a lot about her in her trials so we’re delighted to have him aboard. It’s a competitive race but she’s a very genuine mare and her attitude will take her a long way, so we expect her to be fighting out the finish.

COBRA CLUB - Race 7, 5.05pm, 1550m, T Clark, 57.5kg
Cobra Club continues to train very well ahead of this outing. He has raced well since winning at Kembla and even though he didn’t seem to love the Soft 7 at this track last time, he still fought on for a brave fourth. This track’s currently rated a Good 4 and with a dry outlook he should hopefully get his preferred conditions come post time which adds confidence. He’s a fit horse at this stage of the preparation and he’s drawn well in barrier 2 so he should enjoy all the favours in the run, and he’s more than capable of winning.

SAVVY SPY - Race 7, 5.05pm, 1550m, R Bayliss, 55kg
Savvy Spy was brilliant when resuming at Kembla last month, finding only a progressive three year old too strong for him over the concluding stages. He’s taken plenty of benefit from that and he’s going to appreciate stretching out in distance here, so it should bring about lots of improvement. He’s drawn to the outside and it’s a short run to the first turn from this start, so Regan may have to take his medicine and slot in where he can enjoy an even run in transit. He’s placed over course and distance previously, albeit in slightly lesser grade, so we know he goes well here and we expect him to be right there at the finish.

THURSDAY 17th SEPTEMBER - KEMBLA

Rail Position: True

LUCAND MAGIC - Race 7, 5.20pm, 1150m, R Bayliss, 58kg
Lucand Magic gave us such a thrill when winning so impressively on debut at Wyong. He’d shown ability in his trials but race day is another matter, however, he absolutely pulverized his opponents. He’s taken plenty of improvement from it so whilst we’re under no illusions that this is tougher, it’s a lovely, gradual steppingstone for him on his first foray outside of maiden grade and his two main dangers are also unbeaten from one career start, so they’re all evenly matched. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 1 so Regan should be able to use his speed to secure the lead and control things to suit himself, and Kembla’s a very fair track which should suit him. He’s a very likeable gelding and we’ll know more about him after this run, but we’re confident he’ll be hard to beat.