Waterhouse eyeing 2YO classic

WITH seven years having passed since her most recent win in the race, Gai Waterhouse says the time has come to add a fifth Magic Millions 2YO Classic to her trophy cabinet and she believes Unite And Conquer and Czarson are the right horses to end the drought.

Waterhouse first won the race in 2000 with Assertive Lad, then again the following year with Excellerator. Dance Hero added to her tally in 2004, and in 2012, Driefontein gave her four by beating stablemate No Looking Back on protest.

Her most recent placing in the race was Sweet Idea (second in 2013) and Waterhouse is keen to change that with training partner Adrian Bott on Saturday.

“It’s about time,” Waterhouse said of her chances this year. “We are ready for it. “You wouldn’t say it’s been a long time between drinks, but there’s been a pause between drinks and we’re ready to go.”

Unite And Conquer and Czarson bring a powerful formline to the table this week, with both boasting impressive wins over Godolphin filly Exhilarates, who put a number of local hopes to the sword at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Czarson was too speedy for Exhilarates on debut over 1000m at Gosford and then trounced Kiamichi (who beat Exhilarates on debut) at Rosehill over 1200m last time out.

Unite And Conquer dominated the Wyong Magic Millions from the front and had a margin to spare over Exhilarates, who was finishing late after striking trouble early.

The pair have since met in a Warwick Farm trial over 807m, where Czarson shaded his more fancied stablemate, and their trainer says they have not gone backwards since.

“They are just two lovely, unassuming, uncomplicated horses that will run exceedingly well,” Waterhouse said. “They have both done exceedingly well since coming to Queensland (a week ago) and I am very pleased with them. Adrian and I couldn’t be happier.

“They will be hard to beat.”