Gai Waterhouse has won the Metropolitan more times than any other trainer but a victory with Grove Ferry this year would be extra special.
Waterhouse has captured the staying feature eight times, once more than her late father T J Smith and double the tally of champion trainer Chris Waller.
However, a win by Grove Ferry on Saturday would give Waterhouse her first shared success in the race alongside co-trainer Adrian Bott, while also providing her former stable apprentice Winona Costin with her maiden Group 1.
Costin has ridden in eight majors, her best result a third aboard the Waterhouse and Bott-trained Riodini in the 2019 Epsom Handicap on the corresponding program and Bott is thrilled to be able to offer her another chance to break her duck.
“She works really hard for us. I think she comes in all year hoping for an opportunity to pop up at this time of year and we’re more than happy to give them to her because she is certainly not out of place,” Bott said.
“She has ridden some big races for us in Epsoms and whatnots on light weights.
“Hopefully she can do the same here because she will suit the horse.
“She does that weight (51 kilos) easily and she has had a fair bit to do with the stable, so we want to give her an opportunity.”
Costin boasts a strikerate of 25.7 per cent for Tulloch Lodge and has tasted feature race success for Waterhouse and Bott aboard Knights Order in the 2020 Listed City Tattersall’s Club Cup.
Grove Ferry heads to Randwick on a seven-day back-up after proving his credentials at the 2400m journey with victory in the Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill last Saturday.
The only other time he raced off a short turnaround he finished third in the ATC Cup (2000m) and Bott reports the import has come through his latest run in terrific order.
“That was an important race for him. He ran out that distance strongly the first time so we’re more than happy to push forward on that basis,” Bott said.
“We have used that race a lot of times with horses going through to the Metropolitan, it has worked really well for us and they’ve gone close, so hopefully he can go one better than the last couple have.”
Waterhouse and Bott will also saddle up last-start Newcastle Cup placegetter Sacramento and Bott says he will strip much fitter for his second up run, although his best form is on firm tracks.
“He’s gone from the mile to 2300 (metres) there and stuck on quite well, so considering that, it’s not a bad effort and probably better than what it reads,” Bott said.
“He is open to really good improvement off that, although he’s one that will definitely appreciate better going.”
