Mixed fortunes for Gai Waterhouse on Derby Day
THE Waterhouse and Bott team took two horses into key events on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington, but the stable experienced very different results in each event.
Cismontane kicked the day off in the right fashion by taking out the Lexus Stakes, earning the five-year-old a spot in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup in a gutsy staying performance.
The win maintained a brilliant preparation of form for Cismontane, which has now placed in all of its three runs since resuming in October.
Taking to the front early in the piece, the gelding looked to be labouring as the field entered the latter stages of the race but the $12.10 winner at Crownbet.com.au pushed incredibly hard to the line to qualify for the Cup.
Gai Waterhouse said the team will not even consider resting the horse ahead of the $6 million feature in three-days time, even after the arduous trip in the Lexus.
“Why wouldn’t we be confident?” Waterhouse told HorseBetting.com.au at the track.
“He’s been prepared for it for a long time and he’s come of age today with that win.
“I’m just so proud of him.”
Despite the strong victory, Cismontane remains as a $41 hope at Ladbrokes for the race that stops a nation.
By contrast, Global Glamour put in an ordinary performance by its lofty standards in the Myer Classic.
Setting an early speed, the $6 elect at William Hill looked to be cruising along in front, but as mare entered the straight the field swallowed the four-year-old.
It was the horse’s first failure over the 1600m journey.
“She wouldn’t quite relax here today,” the co-trainer said.
“The wind was buffeting her, whereas the other day when she won, she was able to relax easier.
“It just made the task that much harder.”
It was the fourth run this preparation, but the race was indicative of a horse that needs a break.
The run was the first time this preparation that the mare has not finished either first or second, and Waterhouse said the Myer Classic defeat will be more than likely Global Glamour’s last run for 2017.
“We’ll give her a break now,” she said.
“Then we’ll hopefully go to Magic Millions, once the dust settles we’ll make the decision.
“We’ll have a bit to talk about, but that’s the plan now.”