Gai Waterhouse trained Echo Gem’s parents and will soon discover if the apple falls far from the tree at Warwick Farm.
The two-year-old filly is scheduled to start her racing career in Wednesday’s Australian Turf Club Plate (1200m) after showing positive signs in two barrier trials last month.
Waterhouse prepared Echo Gem’s sire Squamosa, who recorded four wins and a second in the 2010 Group One Golden Rose, before being retired in 2012 while her dam Porcellanus was Group Three placed in the 2013 Angst Stakes.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott, who welcomed four winners for Tulloch Lodge on the Kensington track at Randwick on Monday, was upbeat about Echo Gem’s chances.
“She seems to be really improving with the amount of time and work we’ve been giving her,” he said.
“High Chaparral is on her Mum’s side so even though she’s by a speed sire she’ll get over a little bit of a trip in time herself given the way she’s relaxing at the moment.”
Echo Gem was a $10 chance with the TAB on Tuesday while the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Reelem In Ruby led the market at $3.50.
The stable also has three-year-old Rakhish in the Ranvet Power Formula Handicap (1600m) and Falcon Island in the Spring On Sale (1200m).
Rakhish opened his career with a second over 1500m at Hawkesbury in December before being spelled ahead of a winter campaign.
“That run sort of knocked him about a bit so we gave him a bit of time. He’s come on from that and looks well at the moment,” Bott said.
Rakhish broke his maiden when he resumed at Wyong over 1350m on May 22 and was again given time to recover.
“He’s still learning his craft but the step up in trip will suit him down to the ground,” Bott said.
