Watermans Bay has joined the stable of Dan Monton and will make his return to Perth racing in the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Steven Arnold has been booked to ride Watermans Bay in the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Watermans Bay made his racing debut under the care of Peter Giadresco in 2011 and was a consistent performer at the highest level of Perth racing for a number of years, but was transferred to the stable of Mark Kavanagh for a 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in Melbourne.
The Eternity Range gelding made his debut on the Eastern seaboard of Australia with a credible seventh behind Target In Sight in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 28 and finished within half a length of the winner In Cahoots in the Listed Iltalktravel Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 15.
Watermans Bay was then far from disgraced when sixth behind Reparations in the Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and owners the Molloy Family opted to send the six-year-old back to Perth for the a tilt at the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) after he finished third behind Buffering and Moment Of Change in the Group 1 event last year.
Monton told Perth Racing that he hasn’t had the chance to do a great deal of work with Watermans Bay since she returned to Perth, but is happy with the condition of the Group 1 placegetter heading into the Winterbottom Stakes this weekend.
“He only got here on Friday, but he’s done well,” Morton said.
“He hasn’t left an oat.
“I’ve ridden him a couple of times and he gives me a good feel.
“He ran third in the race last year and if he’s somewhere near his top, he’ll be a nice horse to have going into the race.”
Steven Arnold has been booked to ride Watermans Bay in the Winterbottom Stakes and the leading Melbourne jockey has the chance to combine with Monton for a fourth win at the highest level of racing.
Arnold partnered Monton’s star galloper Scenic Blast when he scored his maiden win at the highest level of racing in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in 2009 and he was aboard the Scenic gelding when he took out the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at the same venue as well as the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1005m) during the 2009 Royal Ascot Meeting.
Watermans Bay is currently available at 2014 Winterbottom Stakes odds of $41, while Angelic Light ($3) remains a clear favourite from Moment Of Change ($4.60), Sidestep ($7) and Magnifisio ($7).
