Caulfield Cup qualification will be the next goal for up-and-coming galloper Strawberry Boy after he made it back-to-back wins at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse will send the four-year-old to Melbourne for the Group Three Naturalism Stakes on September 22 with the winner of that race exempt from ballot for next month’s Caulfield Cup.
Strawberry Boy will be looking to qualify for the Caulfield Cup after today's impressive victory - Photo by Steve Hart
Strawberry Boy was sent out a $1.30 favourite in the Paul Noble Mile (1600m) and after controlling the race from the front was able to hold out Jacquinot Bay ($7) by 1-1/2 lengths.
Mon Soleil ($31) was a neck away in third.
“He (Strawberry Boy) is so exciting and has got so much upside,” Waterhouse said.
“He’ll go straight to Melbourne now and contest the Naturalism Stakes at 2000 metres. I think he’s a real Caulfield Cup horse.”
Waterhouse has unveiled three Caulfield Cup hopefuls in the past week with Glencadam Gold winning the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) at Rosehill last Saturday and Julienas taking out the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) on Friday.
“He’s the most prominent at present,” Waterhouse said of Strawberry Boy.
Runner-up Jacquinot Bay, who had been impressive winning his first four races at Goulburn, struck interference on the home turn and lost momentum when starting to move into the race from the tail of the field.
Jockey Jeff Penza viewed the film after the race but there was no protest.
“I don’t know if the interference cost us the race, but it didn’t help,” Penza said.
Strawberry Boy is raced by John Singleton who has champion mare More Joyous set to resume next Saturday at Rosehill in the Sheraco Stakes.
“He’s got two very exciting two-year-olds as well,” Waterhouse said.
“He’s got More Joyous’s sister (Most Joyful) and Samantha Miss’s baby (Sammy’s Girl).”
Waterhouse claimed the opening two races on the program when former New Zealand stayer O’Reilly’s Prize took out the Australian Turf Club Handicap (2400m).
Waterhouse said the five-year-old would head to the paddock and return a better horse next preparation.
