Hot Clark just the man for English
GAI Waterhouse hopes having man of the moment Tim Clark on side will help in her bid to break a three-year Group 1 drought in Queensland with $3 million earner English in the Doomben 10,000 tomorrow.
Clark produced a gem on Shoals from a wide barrier at Morphettville in Adelaide last week and has ridden another four winners since.
“He’s riding like a man possessed,” said Waterhouse, whose last Queensland Group 1 winner was Pornichet in the 2015 Doomben Cup.
Tomorrow marks English’s first start in Queensland, despite racing at the top level for the past four seasons.
She was tuned up for the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) when given a good hit-out to beat tomorrow’s rivals Redzel ($2.30) and Spieth ($20) in a recent Randwick trial.
“Her trials always look good. She’s a class mare and I couldn’t be happier with her,” Waterhouse said.
“She has terrific form around her.”
The champion Sydney trainer said whether English ($17) raced on into her sixth year was a decision for her owners, the Kelly family of Newhaven Park.
“She’s a mare that could easily run another campaign. She’s very healthy, touch wood, without any issues,” she said.
“As horses get older, often they are plagued by one thing or another but she’s very good.”
Waterhouse and training partner Adrian Bott also have longshot Joyfilly Ours ($41)in the Group 2 Doomben Roses (2000m).
“She has run a place in a Group 1 race and she could easily turn her form around,” she said.
Waterhouse believes Runaway is a great chance of winning tomorrow’s South Australian Derby (2500m) in Adelaide but she baulked at booking him for a Queensland trip.
Waterhouse took a swipe at officials for reducing the Queensland classics distance of 2400m to 2200m because they will be run at Doomben instead of Eagle Farm.
“It’s quite a shame they’ve shortened the Derby and Oaks in Queensland. It’s no longer a classic race,” she said.
“Eagle Farm being out is only temporary. I think they do themselves a disservice.”
SHE’S A CLASS MARE AND I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER WITH HER GAI WATERHOUSE