Gai Waterhouse has made a sensational start to what is expected to be
a huge Magic Millions Carnival by saddling up Anabaa filly Heritiere to win this
afternoon's $100,850 Indepedent Fuel Supplies Silk Stocking Handicap on the Gold Coast. After settling just off the pace set by the local performer West Ward,
Jim Cassidy was able to push the filly to the front close to the line for an impressive
win.
Heritiere further enhanced her fast finishing win by running
a new class and race record of 1 minute 20.57 seconds. The time was nearly three tenths
faster than Air She Goe's previous record. The winning time was only 0.24 second outside
of Play Station's course record for the 1400 metre trip.
Waterhouse outlined Oaks aims for the filly after today's
listed race win by the Anabaa filly.
"There's no doubt she will get further," Waterhouse
beamed.
"She looks to be a real Oaks filly, I'm pretty excited about her
future."
"The way she knuckled down at the finish of the race was
very heartening," Waterhouse added.
The leading lady trainer was lucky to gave been even able to
train the lightly raced filly and it was because of a rival trainer moving overseas that
she was given the opportunity.
"Gary Moore picked her out at the sales for the Heads as
he liked her and she was by a stallion they were linked to," Waterhouse said.
The win topped off a long 30 year association between the
bubbly trainer and the French based Head family.
"They are a great family in racing. I first got to meet them
about 30 years ago," she said.
"The son of Heritiere's owners Freddy was actually an
apprentice jockey for my father (TJ Smith). He was a leading rider in France and is now
training there," Waterhouse added.
Cassidy said on dismounting that the filly is sure to improve
with experience.
"She had a little trouble getting to the leader (West
Ward) and I think her lack of experience was the only reason," Cassidy said.
Heritiere's win was the first on what is expected to be a
Waterhouse dominated weekend. Gai is expected to saddle up the favourites in both the
two-year-old classic (Snowland) and the three-year-old trophy (Ha Ha).
Waterhouse wasn't talked into singling out one of her four
runners in the two-year-old race.
"I have the favourite Snowland but I honestly think all four have
a great chance of winning," she predicted.
Sadly the well performed Brisbane galloper Gay Adventure
broke down badly in the latter stages of the race and left the course for urgent nearby
veterinary attention.
The well fancied Bede Murray trained mare See the Gold was
subsequently banned by stewards after the race. The mare held the race for a number of
minutes after proving difficult to be loaded for the race. See the Gold will be required
to trial to the satisfaction of stewards before racing again. |