Vancouver might be an easing favourite for the Golden Rose but Gai Waterhouse is keeping the faith with the colt.
The Golden Rose is one of two $1 million races during the Sydney spring carnival, the other being the Epsom Handicap in which Waterhouse again expects to be a major player.
The Australian Turf Club launched its spring carnival at Randwick on Thursday, announcing the ambassadors who include Waterhouse’s daughter, social columnist Kate Waterhouse and her husband, former rugby league player Luke Ricketson.
Current NRL players Tom and George Burgess will also play a role along with actress Anna Bamford and Channel V host Carissa Walford.
But it was, as usual, Gai Waterhouse who took centre stage, spruiking the fashion and social element of racing, but more importantly the main event.
“It’s great to see so many younger people getting involved,” Waterhouse said.
“And it’s wonderful to see the prize money increases with a million dollars for the Epsom and other increases for races such as the Gimcrack and Breeders Plate for the two-year-olds.
“I’ve got one called Kiss And Make Up, for guess who – Singo.
“And Vancouver will be there for the Golden Rose.”
Waterhouse and businessman John Singleton had a public spat last year and he took his horses away from her stable.
A less-than-impressive barrier trial by Vancouver earlier this week caused a reshuffle of the market with Exosphere from the powerful Godolphin operation now favourite for the Golden Rose on Saturday week.
