Beware the backers of Raceway for the 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes, trainer Gai Waterhouse says her stable will only have one entrant in the race and it may not be him.
Raceway is currently a $4 favourite for the event but it’s stable mate No Looking Back at $15 that could be the better option.
Waterhouse says she hasn’t fully made up her mind exactly which horse will be making the journey but is adamant one will stay behind.
“I’m going to send either Raceway or No Looking Back to Melbourne for the Blue Diamond … and my preference is probably No Looking Back as she is more seasoned,” she said.
This is despite Raceway’s eye catching win first up at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago where he gapped a quality field of juveniles.
No Looking Back meanwhile was equally impressive as the first horse across the line in the Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic but had her win taken off her in favour of the second placed (and other Waterhouse runner) Driefontein.
“What a phenomenal first-up effort by No Looking Back last week,” Waterhouse said.
“She is an outstanding filly.”
She says the horse will be even better in Melbourne as well, not just through experience but also the change in direction.
“I’m mindful of what Hugh Bowman told me after he rode the filly at her first start, when he said she would be better going the Melbourne way,” she said.
“In the Magic Millions, she drifted out on to her Melbourne leg in the straight. She seems to race like that naturally.”
She has confirmed Driefontein certainly won’t be in Melbourne though, her aim squarely on the Golden Slipper.
“I’m going to keep Driefontein in Sydney and she will have just the one run before the Golden Slipper,” Waterhouse said.
“The Magic Millions is a great lead-up for the Golden Slipper.
“I’ve taken horses up for the Magic Millions over the years and they always come back and race well in the Golden Slipper.
“These young horses grow up with the trip away, and they get racing experience which you can’t buy.”
Whatever way you look at it Waterhouse will have a strong team for the autumn two year old features and by going one two in the Magic Millions she’s set a dangerous precedent.
She did the same thing in 2011 and then went onto train the Golden Slipper trifecta.
