Search

show me:

Goulburn Cup - Double Chance For Waterhouse And Bott

3 minute read

Gai Waterhouse has given herself a double chance to win Sunday’s $150,000 Goulburn City Cup for a second time.

Fabrizio
Fabrizio Picture: Racing and Sports

Waterhouse won her first Goulburn Cup with Kinnersley in 2012 and went close to winning her second when Sweet Redemption finished second last year when beaten by the Godolphin mare Circular.

Sweet Redemption was Waterhouse's first Goulburn Cup runner under her partnership with Adrian Bott and they are aiming to snare a big share of the record prizemoney this year with their quality pair Fabrizio and Dark eyes.

“Either one is capable of winning - they’re both fit and ready to go,” Waterhouse said.

Fabrizio already boasts a major provincial win on his record in the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup bujt has been set a task to win the Goulburn under the topweight of 62kg, 3.5kg more than his nearest rival Embley,

Fabrizio is also racing over the mile second up after resuming with a ninth in the Listed Hawkesbury Ladies Day Cup (1400m) when he endured a tough run three wide from a wide gate.

“He came through the race extremely well and I’m very happy with him,” Waterhouse said.

“Older horses seem to get into a nice rhythm and the mile will suit him. He’s a lovely horse with a great attitude.”

In form apprentice Rachel King rides Fabrizio without the advantage of her claim but is expected to push forward from his middle gate as he is the only recognized leader in the field.

“Rachel is an extremely talented young jockey and puts in a lot of hours working in the morning. She deserves the ride,” Waterhouse said.

Fabrizio should find his stablemate Dark Eyes, a Canberra Cup winner over 2000m, a serious rival as he should be at his peak after four solid efforts since resuming from a spell.

“Dark Eyes has been a bit disappointing lately but this race might help him regain his focus,” Waterhouse said.

“He’s better over further but the 1600m will be a nice stepping stone.”

Blake Shinn, yet to record a Goulburn Cup win, has the ride on Dark Eyes.

The Waterhouse stablemates are pushing God’s In Him (Brenton Avdulla) from the Hawkes stable for Goulburn Cup favouritism.

God’s In Him boasts a strong record over 1600m and is certain to have been improved by his first-up fourth over 1400m at Flemington 15 days ago.

Major stables have responded to the rise in Goulburn Cup prizemoney to $150,000 with the field the strongest in the race’s 133-year history.

Leading trainers Bjorn Baker (Embley), Joe Pride (Gamblestown) Peter and Paul Snowden (Astrara), John Thompson (Reneged), Anthony and Edward Cummings (Screamarr) and Jason Coyle (Valentino Rosso) are all chasing the big prizemoney.


Racing and Sports

What’s gambling really costing you?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au