Gai Waterhouse swept aside the dramas of the More Joyous inquiry and got back to doing what she does best at Canterbury on Wednesday – training winners.
Waterhouse unveiled a promising youngster in Cosmic Endeavour who showed her rivals a clean pair of heels to score a dashing all-the-way victory in the Australian Turf Club Plate (1200m).
The win came just two days after Racing NSW stewards reconvened the More Joyous inquiry to cross-examine three witnesses.
Among the actions they took were the laying of two charges against Waterhouse for failing to report a condition which could affect the running of a horse in a race and failing to keep a treatment record.
Waterhouse has pleaded not guilty to both charges, which will be heard on May 27.
But it was all business for the top trainer at Canterbury as she celebrated the win by Cosmic Endeavour, who beat stablemate She’s Bella by 3-1/4 lengths.
Waterhouse said the winner’s owners had wondered whether Cosmic Endeavour should be spelled after she disappointed at her second barrier trial but she convinced them otherwise.
“Her first trial was brilliant, her second trial was horrible,” Waterhouse said.
“I just let her shoot the breeze, I don’t think she liked the ground in her second trial.
“The owners wanted to tip her out but I said, `please don’t, just leave her for a little bit because she’s goes quite well’ and the proof is in the pudding.”
Waterhouse will give consideration to taking Cosmic Endeavour to Queensland for a race during the winter carnival, but nothing has been set in stone.
“We will wait and see. Her owners are from Queensland so they might like that,” she said.
Fresh from producing a career-first five-timer at Rosehill on Saturday, Chris Waller also made his mark at Canterbury with a first starter.
Amovatio looked to have more up his sleeve in taking out the TAB iPhone App Plate (1200m) and is likely to step up to Saturday grade at his next start.
“He is a very nice horse and he’s still got a lot of improvement to come,” Waller said.
“It would be nice to get a Saturday win for his owners. At this time of year the prize money is good which comes in handy when you’re looking towards the better races.”
Amovatio was the first leg of a treble for Hugh Bowman whose other winners, Ashamar and Swift Judgement, were both courtesy of trainer Bart Cummings.
