Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse News 63340 Playing By The Rules

Emma Reeves takes us behind the scenes each weekend, breaking down the programming decisions behind one of the stable’s runners.

Metallic Cat. , Saturday 31st October, Randwick, Race 6: 
I would love to spin the same story about a real favourite of mine in Surfin’ Bird, but in the name of new material, I’m going with another incredibly consistent five-year-old mare in the hope she can emulate Birdie. Metallic Cat made her debut as a four-year-old and was only just caught on the line to run second. She followed that up with a winning double in town before we decided to spell her and prepare for the spring. First up this preparation she was once again desperately unlucky to be caught on the line, before going down by less than two lengths second up when giving weight away all round against the boys. We did expect her to win that day, but I am always forgiving of horses second up and, while she steps up in grade on Saturday, she ticks every other box for me. She rises slightly in distance, returns to fillies and mares grade and is now third up. If we can put that second-up run, which was by no means poor, down to a touch of second-up-itis, I think she is very well placed on Saturday to add another win to her tally.