One of Lloyd Williams cast-offs has already made winning debut for new trainer Kim Waugh and now the other stayer she bought from the prolific Melbourne Cup-winning owner can book a trip to Queensland.
British import Goathland is headed to Doomben for the Group Three Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) on May 12, and former Coolmore horse Our Century can also earn a trip north with a strong performance in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Wyong trainer bought the pair from Williams for $145,000 apiece when it became apparent they were not likely to add to the leviathan owner’s six Melbourne Cups.
“When Lloyd thinks they can’t win the Melbourne Cup he moves them on and we really liked the look of these two,” Waugh said.
Goathland claimed the Anzac Day Cup (1800m) at Randwick while four days earlier Our Century was unplaced in a 1400m-handicap at Randwick.
“I’m happy with the way he went. It was too short but that’s all there was for him,” Waugh said.
She said Our Century would find the Lord Mayor’s Cup more suitable, but conceded the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Ecuador was the horse to beat as he backs up from a second in last Saturday’s Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).
“We’re still learning about Century, but I think he’ll be working home strong,” she said.
Our Century, who had four starts in the UK and Ireland before joining Robert Hickmott’s stable, recorded one of his three career wins over 2000m in the Wangaratta Cup in March last year.
Waugh said Goathland and Our Century would both be aimed at the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2200m) at Doomben on June 9.
Our Century was a $19 chance with the TAB on Friday.
The Wendy Roche-trained mare Nettoyer led the market at $2.50 ahead of Ecuador ($3.20) and Alward ($3.50), one of Chris Waller’s two runners.
Sydney’s leading trainer believes former French horse Alward is capable of adding to his five career wins.
“We’ve learned he doesn’t go beyond 2000 metres so this is the perfect race for him,” Waller said.
Stablemate My Nordic Hero was at $21 on Friday after finishing last in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.
