Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse Gais Tip Sheet

WEDNESDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER - WARWICK FARM

Rail Position: +3M Entire

BLESSED EAGLE - Race 1, 1.35pm, 1200m, T Clark, 61.5kg
Blessed Eagle gave us such a thrill when winning on debut at this track a fortnight ago. He did it the tough way in setting a hot speed from the front, but he showed a fantastic attitude and will to win when challenged which is going to take him a long way. He’s taken plenty of natural improvement from that win so he strips fitter here, and he’ll also be more streetwise and aware of what’s required of him. The first run outside of maiden grade is notoriously tricky but this is a lovely steppingstone for him against his own age group without being forced into a Stakes race, so whilst top weight won’t make life easy it still ticks plenty of boxes. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 3 so we expect things to pan out similarly to last time, with Tim using his natural speed to get to the front and control the race to suit himself. The additional 100 metres should be well within range second-up with a run under his belt, and with even luck in running we see no reason why he won’t take a power of beating.

WAIHEKE ROSE - Race 2, 2.10pm, 1400m, T Clark, 55kg
Waiheke Rose is delighting us ahead of her first start. She took great improvement from her first trial to win her latest one in pleasing fashion, and these hit outs have given her a very good fitness base and educational grounding for 1400 metres first-up. Warwick Farm is a very fair track that regularly suits our horses’ racing patterns, so we expect Tim to be positive early from barrier 1 to try and have her in a handy position where she can make her own luck on or close to the lead. She’s been a straightforward and professional filly thus far, and this temperament will take her a long way. She's shown us ability in her trials so whilst this distance is ultimately short of what will be her optimum we think she's capable of making her presence known in this grade, and we’re looking forward to seeing her run a very completive race for you to get her career off to an exciting start.

MOONLIT WINGS - Race 2, 2.10pm, 1400m, R King, 54.5kg
Moonlit Wings wasn’t seen to best effect on debut at Canterbury. However, two horses have come out since and won in lesser country and provincial grades, and the winner wasn’t disgraced when second behind an older mare at Gosford last time. As such, the form is holding up and she still showed promise, so she’s taken plenty of benefit from it and we expect her to be a lot sharper here. The step up to 1400 metres on a bigger track are two huge positives that will play to her strengths, and Rachel should be able to land a bit closer to the speed from barrier 6 than she was able to last time and get her travelling comfortably. Warwick Farm’s an expansive track and we have a lot of success there, so we’re confident she’ll take a big step forward here and make her presence felt.

KAKADU SUNSET - Race 5, 3.55pm, 1400m, T Clark, 58.5kg
Kakadu Sunset got her preparation off to a flying start when finishing a very close third at Canterbury. We knew 1250 metres would be on the short side for her so unsurprisingly she was doing her best work late and absolutely savaged the line, so she’s going to relish this step up to 1400 metres and improve a lot as a result. She’s drawn to do no work in barrier 2 and she maps to settle in midfield, so she should be able to conserve energy and enjoy an even run in transit. There are some progressive horses in opposition but she’s in wonderful form and we expect her to be right there at the finish.