Magic meet in duo’s sights
HAVING stitched up the title of leading trainers at Melbourne Cup week, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will soon turn their attention to Magic Millions day on the Gold Coast.
Savapinski’s win in the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington on Saturday took the training partnership’s tally to five in Cup week, which was highlighted by Pinot’s win in the Group 1 Oaks on Thursday.
Since October 1, Waterhouse and Bott have won 13 races, including eight stakes events, from 38 starters in Victoria.
“It’s been one to remember, that’s for sure,” Bott said.
“A good few months ago we set out and wanted to have a good carnival down there and make our presence felt.
“We selected the type of horses we wanted to target and sent them down there nice and early. Luckily it’s all been able to come off nicely.”
Bott said the stable intended to take a similar approach to the Queensland summer carnival, which features the $10 million Magic Millions day on January 13.
“We want to get ourselves a nice base, be it Brisbane or the Gold Coast,” he said.
“We have five or six horses we have pencilled in to target that Magic Millions race day.
“It’s a fantastic time of year to be up there, there’s some fantastic prizemoney on offer.
“They have really boosted this carnival and it has worked nicely.”
The star of the team being aimed at the Magic Millions day is dual Group 1-winning mare Global Glamour.
“That syndicate of ladies love racing her,” Bott said.
“They will be all there on the Gold Coast, so what better way to finish off the week than having a runner for the 40 women.
“She has been up there before and performed nicely (she was second in the 3YO Guineas this year).”
Other stable horses heading to the Coast include Melbourne Cup day winner Our Crown Mistress and Arbeitsam, winner of his past three.
Waterhouse has won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic four times, most recently with Driefontein in 2012.
Bott said the next month would be crucial in determining if the stable can add to the tally in 2018.
“We have a couple of nice two-year-olds set to trial in the next week or two,” he said.
“They are the ones we need to get up to the Magic Millions and get qualified.”