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| Sumita Pawar |
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Gai Waterhouse thinks that a really good duo of a “superior” three-year-old horse and an amazing female jockey can help her win the Stradbroke Handicap again.
The First Lady of Australian Racing expressed unwavering confidence in the colossal up-and-comer Hawaii Five Oh and the petite rider Rachel King.
Waterhouse said King, a former Englishwoman, can now create a fresh slice of Australian racing history in the A$3m Stradbroke at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Rachel's Unstoppable Rise To Success
“Rachel is a person who breaks records, like I do,” Waterhouse told Racenet.
“Rachel has come from another country, from England, and made up her mind to be a jockey.
“Since she made up her mind, she has never looked back.
“She went right through the ranks as an apprentice and ever since then she has set the world on fire.
“You look at her masterly ride on (Waterhouse-Bott trained two-year-old filly) Azula (at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
“She kept riding and riding the filly and she just out rode the other jockey and lifted the horse to win.”
Singleton's Promise: Victory Cheers At Eagle Farm
Last year, while Alligator Blood triumphed in a renowned Stradbroke, Waterhouse was exploring foreign lands. This Saturday, she'll be raising a glass in Germany to celebrate a family member's centennial.
However, Waterhouse's absence won't stop her from launching a three-pronged assault on the Stradbroke, with Hawaii Five Oh (A$5) and Converge (A$8.50) leading the charge and Surf Dancer (A$41) as a dark horse.
All eyes are fixed on Hawaii Five Oh, the unstoppable colt who has clinched two consecutive victories and charged into the Stradbroke.
With Singleton's promise to buy rounds at the bar if he emerges victorious, the cheers at Eagle Farm will be deafening. Waterhouse is convinced that Hawaii Five Oh is a prodigious talent with limitless potential.
Hawaii Five Oh: The Three-Year-Old Wonder
“If you get a superior three-year-old horse, they can do anything,” Waterhouse said.
“Hawaii Five Oh is shaping up to be a superior three-year-old, isn’t he?
“He is giving his owners, Singo and Gerry Harvey, the greatest ride of their lives.
“I adore Singo, we have been mates since I first came back from living overseas in England.
“He has only ever helped me in life.
“Singo is terribly excited and why wouldn’t he be?
“So is Gerry. Gerry bred the horse, Singo bought into him and they have been mates for a very long time and what a lovely story that is.”
Of Converge, Waterhouse said the two-time Group 1 winner “could easily win the Stradbroke” after being an eye-catcher when flashing home for second in the Kingsford Smith Cup.
She said European-bred Surf Dancer, a surprise last-start winner of the BRC Sprint, is hitting his straps at exactly the right time.