3 minute read
Gai Waterhouse will bid to end a stable drought in next Monday's Tattersalls Club Cup at Warwick Farm.
Waterhouse won the Tatts Cup four times in a five year period in the 1990s but hasn't been successful in the traditional New Year feature race since Persian Flyer was successful in 1997.
She has a top chance to end the run of outs with King Lionheart, an excellent last start third under the topweight in the Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick farm on December 18.
The Tattersall's Club Cup (2095m) has attracted 14 nominations including the Chris Waller trio Alexander Of Hales, Altered Boy and Wazn, Villiers runners Miss Keepsake and Fibrilliation and last start winners Straight Albert and Winning Glory.
Waterhouse's runners at Doomben in Brisbane on Saturday will be Villiers Stakes second Kontiki Park and Magic Millions Classic contender Driefontein, a big winner on debut at Randwick in November.
Waterhouse has booked talented Sydney jockey Tommy Berry to ride both horses. Berry won last year's MM Classic at the Gold Coast on Karuta Queen but has never ridden in Brisbane.
The unbeaten Driefontein has his Magic Millions lead-up in the BJ McLachlan Stakes while Kontiki Park tackles the Bernborough Stakes. Both horses arrived in Brisbane on Monday.
Waterhouse has narrowed her Magic Millions squad down to Driefontein, No Looking back and Sherocksmyworld with Breeders Plate winner Pierro to be held back for the start of his Golden Slipper campaign in late January.
The Redoute's Choice filly No Looking Back, a winner of her only start at Warwick farm in November, will have trial at Warwick Farm on Friday before heading north for the Magic Millions on January 14.
Queensland-owned Sherocksmyworld, runner-up to the classy Epaulette at Rosehill on Monday, will also head north with Waterhouse counting she has earned enough prizemoney from her two placings to scrape into the final field for MM Classic.
With Randwick closed for racing Waterhouse is delighted that the ATC is utilising the course proper for trackwork and trials and believes it will be benefit her big two-year-old team.
"The only advantage of not racing at Randwick is that the trainers are able to give their horses the best possible work with the use of the course proper.
"It's a great benefit to all involved, in particular the two year olds.
"It is the best track we have on offer and as a work track it's next to none.
"I think the bigger surface and particularly the grass is a great benefit."
