Stablemates Cosmic Endeavour and Driefontein will renew their battle in the Group One Tatt’s Tiara after providing champion trainer Gai Waterhouse with a one-two finish in the Dane Ripper Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Cosmic Endeavour ($6.50) gave jockey Tommy Berry and Waterhouse an early double when she defeated Driefontein ($6.50) by 1-3/4 lengths with Belle De Coeur ($6.50) three quarters of a length away third.
Cosmic Endeavour - Tommy Berry
The pair were successful earlier in the day when Sports Edition won the Hampden Stakes (1200m).
Stable foreman Mark Newnham, representing Waterhouse, said Cosmic Endeavour had thrived since her win in the Scone Guineas and the stable was confident she could win the Dane Ripper.
“She’s been in work five or six months but she looked every bit as good today as she did at the start of her campaign,” he said.
“The key with her is dry tracks. When she gets onto a good track she’s that couple of lengths sharper.”
Berry rode at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday before flying to Brisbane for Saturday’s meeting but had to rely on fellow jockey Tye Angland for wardrobe assistance.
“I left my britches in Hong Kong and Tye was supposed to bring my spare set from Sydney but he forgot so I had to wear his,” Berry said.
Newnham was also full of praise for the effort of Driefontein and said the mare would again be competitive when she next clashed with Cosmic Endeavour in the Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 21.
“As long as Gai is happy with them in the next fortnight we’ll be happy to press on with both of them,” he said.
Newnham believes Cosmic Endeavour has the scope to be competitive in Group One company.
“Down the track, races like the Myer Classic in the spring and the Coolmore next autumn would be suitable races for her,” Newnham said.
Berry said Cosmic Endeavour was an ideal type for the Tiara.
“She’s ultra consistent and you can ride her anywhere in a race,” Berry said.
“She can lead, sit outside the leader, come from behind, whatever you want her to do and you need that in a good racehorse.”
