What was shaping as an ordinary day for trainer Gai Waterhouse turned around quickly with War’s victory in the Group Three Up and Coming Stakes at Warwick Farm.
The win came shortly after another of the stable’s three-year-old spring contenders, Rockabill, won at Kembla Grange.
War - Photo by Steve Hart
Until then, Waterhouse had had to watch Rueben Percival run seventh at Moonee Valley after failing to muster his expected early speed and was forced to scratch Greytfilly from the Silver Shadow Stakes when the filly slipped over in her stall.
Earlier Glencadam Gold was withdrawn from the Warwick Stakes with a slight temperature.
War was sent out at $15 in the Up and Coming (1200m) with his stablemate Pitcrew the $3.70 favourite.
The winner’s price had much to do with his previous sixth at Canterbury when he over-raced and did much wrong.
But he showed his true form when he led all the way in the Up and Coming under Tommy Berry to hold off Drago ($6.50) by three-quarters of a length with another two lengths to Vilanova ($4).
“Everyone wanted to knock him after Canterbury,” Waterhouse said.
“He was able to dictate today and I loved the way he came away from them in the straight.
“I changed a few things in his training to get him to settle and he did everything right.
“I worked him with a couple of other horses to teach him to settle and he sat behind them smoking a cigar and rolling a joint.
“There are options for him. Rockabill is a stayer and I have had him marked as a Derby horse but this one is probably suited to shorter distances.”
Nash Rawiller said Pitcrew came out on the back foot and could never muster the necessary speed to keep in touch, finishing fourth.
In contrast, Berry said War did everything right.
“It shows you just how good a trainer Gai is,” he said.
“Even though he led, I was able to get him relaxed. He took me to the front rather than me having to push him there.
“He really warmed to the task as the race went on.”
War is not among the Caulfield Guineas entries and Waterhouse and owners Coolmore will discuss spring targets.
