Gai Waterhouse has never worried about barrier draws and sees no reason to start now.
Golden Slipper favourite Vancouver will start from the second outside gate in the capacity field for Saturday’s $3.5 million race but that hasn’t dented Waterhouse’s enthusiasm.
Vancouver, Tommy Berry
The champion trainer has a simple reason for her confidence in Vancouver.
“Because I think he’s a superior colt,” Waterhouse said.
Waterhouse has three runners in Saturday’s Rosehill showpiece as she bids to equal her late father TJ Smith’s training record of six Golden Slipper wins.
“You dream about things like that,” she said.
“I love this race. I think it’s the most exciting race in the world.”
The unbeaten Vancouver eased slightly after drawing 18 of 19 and he will jump from 15 if the three emergencies don’t gain a start.
Despite the wide barrier, the emphatic last-start Todman Stakes winner remains a clear-cut favourite to continue his winning streak.
“We’ve got the best jockey in Tommy Berry so you shouldn’t have to worry. He can go forward or back. I never worry about barriers, you can’t do anything about them,” Waterhouse said.
Vancouver’s two stablemates English and Speak Fondly are $13 and $26 respectively in a market where only Vancouver ($2.80) and Godolphin’s Exosphere ($4.60) are under double figures.
Waterhouse said Speak Fondly, winner of last Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes, was peaking at the right time as Ha Ha did ahead of her 2001 win.
The third of Waterhouse’s runners is English, an impressive winner of the Reisling Stakes.
The trainer prepared the trifecta in the 2001 Golden Slipper when Excellerator and Red Hannigan finished behind Ha Ha.
