Gai Waterhouse shares the Epsom Handicap training record of seven wins with her legendary father Tommy Smith, but her training partner Adrian Bott is yet to taste victory in the feature Randwick mile.
The pair will have two runners in Saturday’s renewal, favourite Royal Patronage and the rejuvenated Major Beel, with Bott hoping one of them can elevate his name onto the Epsom Handicap (1600m) honour roll.
“Gai has obviously got a brilliant record in this race. I’m yet to get on the board,” Bott said.
“Like any big, iconic race at Randwick, you’d love to be able capture it on your home track.”
Waterhouse last won the Epsom in 2011 with Fat Al, five years before she teamed up with Bott.
Import Royal Patronage remains at the top of markets despite a tricky draw in barrier 17 but given his ability to stalk the speed to win the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at his Australian debut, Bott is hopeful he can overcome the gate.
“First-up he showed great tactical speed over the 1400 metres, so if he’s able to do that once again, he can easily offset that draw,” Bott said.
“Last start in the 7 Stakes, he was a little bit tardy, he got himself in an awkward position, so we’d certainly like to see him being on the front foot out of that gate.”
Major Beel is also prominent in markets as a $11 chance, the 2023 ATC Australian Derby winner responding to a different training approach this campaign to rediscover his form.
After a disappointing four-year-old season, he resumed with a mile win at Randwick last month before running a cheeky race at weight-for-age in the 7 Stakes (1600m) when he led and gave a strong kick before being overhauled late to finish fifth, beaten just over a length by Fangirl.
“Gee, I thought it was an honest performance,” Bott said.
“He led them up and gave them a great sight, gave them something to chase, and he was only beaten over the concluding stages and not beaten far.
“Last preparation, we felt he didn’t quite see out some of the staying trips. The transition from three-year-old company to open staying ranks, it’s not easy for them.
“We thought we would start by trying to keep him sharp for a few of those mile to 2000-metre races and then if he needed to, we could stretch him out at a later date.
“But for now, he has been pretty effective in both those runs to keep him at that mile trip.”
Winona Costin will be chasing her maiden Group 1 win aboard Major Beel, who has drawn barrier nine, while Tim Clark partners Royal Patronage.
