3 minute read

Gai Waterhouse's volatile Newcastle carnival took on a positive twist this afternoon with Vaquera edging out a three-way finish to claim the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes.

Just 24 hours ago Waterhouse was in hot water again following Rockabill's late scratching from the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m), won by John O'Shea's Savvy Nature.

She'll face an inquiry tomorrow after evidence was uncovered that Rockabill had been lame since Tuesday.

But that was the furthest thing from her mind as Vaquera won Waterhouse's fourth Tibbie Stakes, indicating she was in for a serious spring campaign.

“You've got to remember she ran third in the [Queensland] Oaks and today was a more mild race,” Waterhouse said.

“Today was a crucial stepping stone to where we go.

“We'll stay in Sydney or Brisbane and then we'll move to Melbourne depending on the way she's going.”

Jockey Tommy Berry rode Vaquera to perfection, benefiting from a breakneck speed set by Just A Girl.

She let down in the final furlong as the widest runner and just reeled in Gold Epona and Cameo late on.

“They ran along at a nice tempo, it's kind of hard to tell with my mare because she doesn't pull or anything,” Berry said.

“That was a good win today. At the top of the straight the horses on my inside kept coming out under me and it took me a while to get her to balance up and find the line.

“Running third in Group 1s last preparation it just shows she's a serious horse.

“I got wide but that seems to be the pattern of the day getting back with cover in this wind and having the last crack at them.

“She's a mare with a lot of ability, she's very gutsy, she has a very bad temper but that seems to go well with fillies and mares.

“She treats herself like she's a good thing and she's starting to prove it.”