Gai Waterhouse will be out to strengthen her chances of claiming the Australian racing season’s final juvenile feature when Kabayan steps out at Rosehill on Saturday.
The gelding is on the fourth line of betting for next month’s Group One TJ Smith (1600m) in Brisbane as Waterhouse bids to add the event named after her late father to her string of big-race wins in 2011-2012.
Waterhouse has prepared Pierro to win the Sydney two-year-old triple crown and has also won the $2 million Magic Millions with Driefontein so far in 2012.
Kabayan was an impressive debut winner at Wyong recently and is entered for Saturday’s 1200m 2YO Plate with Tommy Berry to ride.
“He has come through that first run very well,” Waterhouse’s racing manager Bruce Slade said.
“He will run in the 1200-metre race on Saturday and if he runs well and wins then he’ll head to Brisbane for the TJ.
“He’s a very smart horse.”
Queensland colt Sizzling is favourite for the TJ Smith with TAB Sportsbet at $2.60 ahead of Academus ($4.20) with the Waterhouse-trained duo of Betrayal and Kabayan next in line at $8 and $10 respectively.
Last-start Canterbury winner Betrayal is likely to run on Saturday week ahead of a possible TJ Smith start on June 9.
Slade said Waterhouse would love to add the TJ Smith to her Group One tally this season.
“Darley cleaned up all the Group Ones for two-year-olds last year and Gai has won pretty much all the features this year except for the Blue Diamond where No Looking Back finished second,” Slade said.
“It would be lovely to think we could feature in the TJ Smith.”
Waterhouse has four other horses nominated for the Rosehill program, including Rockafellacentre who’ll be ridden by Tommy Berry in the 3YO Benchmark 74 (2000m).
The son of O’Reilly is among nominations for the Queensland Derby (2400m) on June 9 having won his past two starts over 1600m and 1850m at the provincials.
“He’s going to appreciate getting to 2000 metres and further,” Slade said.
“He’s probably a preparation away but if he was to win (on Saturday) I can’t see why Gai wouldn’t have a crack at the Derby.
“He’s that style of horse where a mile-and-a-half would suit.”
Charing Cross and Rain Drum are entered for a 2000m Benchmark-85 while last start winner Samui Lad will line up over 1400m in a Benchmark-94.
In the Open Handicap (1100m), the Chris Waller-trained multiple stakeswinner Red Tracer heads the weights with 61.5kg.
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