Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse Gais Tip Sheet

WEDNESDAY 7th JULY - CANTERBURY

Rail Position: +6M Entire

FARFETCHED, Race 1, 1100m, 12.50pm, A Hyeronimus, 58.5kg
Farfetched got her preparation off to a fantastic start when finishing second at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago. She’s taken plenty of natural improvement from that so she’s strips fitter here, and whilst she sticks to 1100 metres for now we expect her to be sharper with the benefit of that run under her belt. She’s drawn a lovely barrier in 3 so Adam should be able to roll forward from there and establish her in a prominent position, and whilst she’s unproven on a heavy track she’s got form on soft surfaces so we’re confident she’ll handle the conditions. If anything, we're hopeful that it will make it feel like a 1200 metre race which would suit. She’s an extremely likeable and consistent filly who thoroughly deserves to get her nose in front, and she’s got plenty going for her here so fingers crossed this is her day.

LADY INVICTUS, Race 3, 1200m, 2.00pm, A Hyeronimus, 59.5kg
Lady Invictus did us proud with her terrific effort to finish third at Rosehill last time. It’s a big jump from a midweek city race to a Saturday, but she acquitted herself with huge credit and lost nothing in defeat. She’s dropping back in grade here as this is a lovely race for her against her own age group, and the step up to 1200 metres is probably what she’s looking for at this stage of her preparation. She’s drawn a lovely barrier in 2 so Adam should be able to go forward from there and control the race to suit himself, and she’s proven on a soft 7 which hopefully translates into heavy track form tomorrow. She’s holding her condition well and training the house down at home, so we see no reason why she won’t find herself back in the Winner’s Circle once again.

THINK I WILL, Race 6, 1900m, 3.45pm, A Roper (2kg), 56.5kg
Think I Will has been a reformed character since stepping up in trip and getting the blinkers on. It was a big jump in grade from a Kembla maiden to this same grade of race over course and distance last time, but he took it in his stride and give his opposition a convincing beating. He’s come through that run in great shape and done everything right since, so we can’t fault him ahead of this. He’s also going three weeks between runs which has enabled him to get over his previous exertions, and he has a real spring in his step ahead of this outing. He sticks to 1900 metres for now and Anna’s another very talented apprentice who takes a valuable 2kg off his back, so she’ll endeavour to roll forward from barrier 15 to try and repeat the front running tactics that have been so successful the last twice. He’s creeping up in the weights so this is going to be tougher and the opposition looks to have a bit more depth to it than last time, but he’s rapidly improving and we see no reason why he won’t be hard to beat once again.

STEEL STRIKE, Race 7, 1250m, 4.20pm, A Hyeronimus, 59.5kg
Steel Strike is in great shape ahead of his return. He took good improvement from his first trial to finish second in his most recent outing at Rosehill, and these two trips away from home have switched him on nicely. He was a model of consistency last preparation when placing twice at the midweeks and once in a Saturday grade race, and he’s had a break since then during which he was gelded which many deem the ultimate gear change. As such, we’re confident he has the potential to improve a lot this time in and this is a very attractive starting point for him. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 1 so whilst he might not have the speed to lead, Adam will be positive from there to try and hold a handy spot where he can make his own luck accordingly. He broke his maiden over course and distance so we know he’s effective at this track, and whilst he’ll improve with racing and as he stretches out over a bit further he’s forward enough to run a big race here.