Gai Waterhouse

Gai Waterhouse will attempt to equal her late father’s record of seven Group 1 Doncaster Mile wins this Saturday April 16, 2011.

The Waterhouse stable will be represented by both Pureness and four-year-old racing sensation More Joyous in the race.

Ms Waterhouse has the firm backing of bookmaker husband Robbie Waterhouse, who is confident that the talented More Joyous will be the one to equal the long standing Doncaster Mile record.

“Obviously I hope More Joyous wins and for Gai to equal her father’s record means a tremendous amount to her,” Mr Waterhouse said.

“I haven’t looked at the race thoroughly yet but (More Joyous) seems to be very well weighted.”

While More Joyous has been slugged the top-weight of the field, Mr Waterhouse believes that will not bother the More Than Ready mare.

“She dominates the race,” Mr Waterhouse said.

“Only because it’s the modern-day weighting of big races to encourage the weight-for-age horses to start in a handicap, they’re kindly treated compared to the old days.”

Mr Waterhouse is himself intending to open More Joyous at her current price of around $2 at the track.

“My guess is I’d have her about even money,” he said.

Despite the hype surrounding More Joyous, Mr Waterhouse is not discounting the chances of his wife’s other representative in the race; Pureness.

“I thought Pureness has put in great Doncaster trials and I thought as Gai’s second string he also has a great chance,” Mr Waterhouse said.

“I’ve set him for this race all along and I told (owner) Mr Altomonte he was most capable of winning the Doncaster and he won’t make me a liar, he’ll be fighting the finish out.”