With history and weight against Golden Slipper winner Vancouver in the San Domenico Stakes, the Gai Waterhouse stable has two ready-made excuses.
But if the matter-of-fact confidence of Tulloch Lodge is anything to go by, the star colt won’t need them.
Vancouver, Tommy Berry
No Slipper winner has claimed the San Domenico since Tierce 24 years ago, although only four others have tried.
And less than a third of the past 30 Golden Slipper victors have scored first-up as three-year-olds, fuelling a belief among some that the two-year-old showpiece burns out many of its winners.
Vancouver must also contend with topweight of 60kg and an awkward barrier draw in a race which is the start of a campaign destined to run deep into the spring.
But Tulloch Lodge stable representative Mark Newnham won’t hear of the horse being vulnerable to a race-fit rival.
“He’s done a fair bit of groundwork and Gai’s always got the opinion that you have them fit to run so it doesn’t hurt them, regardless of whether they’ve got a long preparation ahead or not,” Newnham said.
“Especially colts, you want them coming out of the race well and having a good experience. He’s certainly fit enough for an 1100 metre race.”
Vancouver had his final serious gallop with stablemate Cosmic Endeavour last Saturday in a hitout Newnham described as “pretty faultless work to watch”.
The colt won the Slipper from the outside barrier and has proven he can adapt to different speeds in different races.
Tactics in Saturday’s small San Domenico field don’t concern the stable.
“This horse has won on wet, dry. He’s won from wide barriers, he’s led and he’s come from behind,” Newnham said.
“He’s versatile in the way he can be ridden.”
Sizeable as a young horse, at three Newnham says Vancouver has added muscle to an already large frame.
More importantly he has retained a good attitude – always a challenge in a colt – and a determination that often sets the best horses apart.
Despite coming from one of Sydney’s glamour stables, it took Vancouver some time to convince punters he was the real deal but you get the feeling the Waterhouse stable never had any doubt.
“The first time he started favourite was in the Golden Slipper,” Newnham said.
“He may have been a little underestimated before then, but I don’t think so now.”
Vancouver is a $2.25 favourite for the San Domenico, ahead of Kindergarten Stakes placegetter Redzel ($4.60) and the in-form Japonisme at $5.
