Gai Waterhouse will keep faith with Dee I Cee and press on to the Sydney Cup despite his disappointing performance in the Chairman’s Handicap.
Dee I Cee finished 10 lengths sixth to Libran in Saturday’s 2600m-Group Two race with the winner the $2.80 favourite to take out the $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) a week later.
Adrian Bott, representing Waterhouse, presented a veterinary clearance to stewards on Monday and also told them the stable believed the slow tempo early in the race played against Dee I Cee and the plan was to run him in the Cup.
The Chris Waller-trained Libran has won his past three starts to earn favouritism from his stablemates Who Shot Thebarman ($3.50) and Grand Marshal ($4.60).
Grand Marshal beat Who Shot Thebarman by a half head in last year’s Cup.
Libran is raced by Highclere Thoroughbreds which also raced him in England where he finished an unlucky fourth in Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.
The head of Highclere, Harry Herbert, is on his first visit to Sydney and was on hand to see Libran win at Randwick.
Dee I Cee is a $26 chance with the TAB, the same price as Godolphon’s Arab Dawn who won the handicap at Royal Ascot.
Lee Freedman has told stewards the stable intends to continue to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Our Ivanhowe who pulled up lame after the BMW.
Freedman said Our Ivanhowe had been treated for soreness in his off fore hoof and would be would be fitted with glue-on shoes before Saturday’s race.
