Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse Gais Tip Sheet

SATURDAY 3RD JANUARY - RANDWICK

Rail Position: +1m Entire

KNIGHTSBRIDGE- Race 1, 1000m, A Hyeronimus 57.0kg

Knightsbridge is delighting Adrian and me ahead of his debut. He's a colt who has always impressed us at home. He has had two barrier trials to prepare for this run, including a good hit-out at Kensington before his latest trial at Rosehill, so those have given him a strong fitness base and the right educational grounding for a sharp 1000 metres first-up. Adam knows him well and he should be able to have him travelling comfortably before asking him to quicken at the right time, and if he brings his recent work to race day, we expect him to be very tough to beat.

STEEL STRIKE - Race 4, 1600m, A Hyeronimus 58.5kg

Adrian and I have been very happy with how Steel Strike is going, he's in wonderful order. He has been consistent in Benchmark 72 company at Warwick Farm this preparation, finishing third in his past two starts, most recently over 1400 metres, and he has continued to progress since. He’s also proven at a higher level with a Listed placing on his record, so he brings quality form into this race, and stepping up to 1600 metres looks the right progression at this stage of his preparation. Adam knows him well and should be able to have him travelling comfortably in a handy position before allowing him to build into the race at the right time, and with natural improvement to come we expect him to run a very competitive race and be fighting out the finish.

GOLD BULLION - Race 8, 1400m, A Hyeronimus 61.5kg

Gold Bullion is fit and ready for this assignment with three trials under his belt to kick start his preparation. He hasn’t been seen at the races since his Randwick run in late May, but we gave him the time he needed and we're hopeful that he can put his best foot forward today. He’s a proven stakes performer with a Listed mile win on his record, and he has also measured up in stronger company, including a Group 3 placing, so that's good form for this level. 1400 metres is a suitable starting point for him though he will need further in time, and Adam knows him well so he should be able to have him travelling comfortably in a handy position before allowing him to build into the race from the turn. We hope to see a glimmer of the Gold Bullion of old today and see him hit the line strongly to get this preparation off to a positive start.

BELLA MONTAGNA - Race 10, 2000m, R Bayliss 57.5kg

Bella Montagna is delighting Adrian and I coming into this assignment. She’s been running well this preparation, including when she chased home Hyperbolic at Randwick in Benchmark 78 grade, and that form has since received a nice boost with Hyperbolic going on to run second in the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes. Stepping up to 2000 metres looks ideal at this stage of her preparation, and Regan should be able to have her in a comfortable rhythm throughout before allowing her to build into the race from the turn. If she reproduces her best form, we expect her to run a very competitive race and be in the finish.

SATURDAY 3RD JANUARY - EAGLE FARM

Rail Position: True

LUMBINI - Race 1, 1200m, T Clark 57.0kg

Lumbini has continued to do everything right since her debut and we couldn’t be happier with how she’s come on. She gave us a huge thrill on debut when she showed real natural quality. Adrian reported she looked terrific when he saw her this week, and stepping up to 1200 metres looks a very suitable progression at this stage. Tim is back on board, so he should be able to have her travelling comfortably in a handy position before asking her to use that turn of foot we know she has. With that debut run under her belt and the natural improvement and maturity we’ve seen since, we expect her to run a very competitive race and be fighting out the finish.

THE THREE HUNDRED- Race 8, 1400m, T Clark 58.0kg

The Three Hundred has been pleasing Adrian and me in the lead up to this assignment. He comes here off a very good win in the Magic Millions Wyong Stakes over 1200 metres where he fought hard to come out on top, so he arrives in good order and full of confidence. Stepping up to 1400 metres looks a natural progression at this stage, and Tim can be positive early to roll forward and find a handy position. With that recent run under his belt and natural improvement to come second-up, we expect him to run a very competitive race and be right there in the finish.