There are still 10 Group One races to be decided in Sydney before the end of the month but Gai Waterhouse is already thinking beyond the autumn carnival.
In a dream start to the Sydney carnival, Waterhouse has so far claimed the Golden Slipper, Rosehill Guineas and Queen Of The Turf Stakes but a relatively unknown ex-New Zealand galloper had her stable quickly turning its thoughts to the Queensland winter after an impressive Randwick win on Monday.
Under The Sun justified $3 to $2.70 support in winning the Royal Randwick Handicap (1300m) with the three-year-old announcing himself as a possible addition to Waterhouse’s Queensland team.
“If he comes through his grades here in the next couple of runs I think Gai might think about Queensland,” stable spokesman Mark Newnham said of the staying-bred gelding.
“Gai thinks he will get a trip. The way he travelled today I couldn’t see why he wouldn’t.
“He was just as strong on the line as he was at the 300 (metres) so I don’t think he’ll have any trouble going up in distance.
Newnham said Waterhouse’s husband, leading bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse, had identified Under The Sun’s potential after watching replays of the horse’s two New Zealand runs.
“Robbie picked out horses like Descarado and Tullamore so let’s hope he’s on the mark again,” Newnham said.
“His work has shown he is above average.”
Newnham said New Zealand horses who found their way to Tulloch Lodge invariably followed a proven path.
“It’s pretty much the same formula,” he said.
“They have a short prep when they get here because most of them don’t acclimatise to being in their box all day and to the way Gai trains until their second prep.
Waterhouse’s Golden Slipper-winning jockey Nash Rawiller took Under The Sun to the front and he relaxed on the bridle through the middle stages before kicking strongly to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Dream Choice ($13).
Australian Star ($11) finished 1-1/2 lengths away third.
Trainer Paul Messara also produced a horse for the future when Rowie made a winning debut in the Flinders Lane Perfect Fit Shirt Handicap (1300m).
The victory was tinged with sadness with Messara revealing the colt was named after close friend Andrew Rowe, who recently died unexpectedly.
It’s a very special win,” an emotional Messara said.
Rowie, bred to be effective over more ground, sprinted hard to score a 1-1/2 length win over Fob Dubai with Great Dansaar a length away third.
“He won on raw ability today and you won’t see the best of him until six months time,” jockey Christian Reith said.
