Hall Of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse says she couldn’t be more excited by what highly rated stayer Goldman (NZ) (Verdi) has been showing her as he prepares to return for the spring.
The raw talent has already booked his Melbourne Cup ticket with an autumn win in the Listed Roy Higgins and the champion trainer has her sights set on another Cup victory, a decade after she won it with Fiorente.
“He really looks good, I’m really happy with the way he’s training,” she said. “He’s a lovely big loose long staying type of horse and he’s lovely.
Bred by Monovale Holdings, Goldman won two of his four start in New Zealand for his breeders and trainer Tony Pike.
The Verdi gelding was then sold to Darby Racing via bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo and syndicated to a wide variety of owners.
“He’s owned by a very large group of people, it’s just a wonderful thing for racing.” Waterhouse said.
Set to predominantly race in Melbourne this spring, the five-year-old is preparing to resume in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September 9, having travelled down from Sydney last month.
The Waterhouse and Bott stable’s Melbourne Cup army was depleted last month with the announcement that early favourite White Marlin was found to be lame with injured tendons and will miss the spring.
While Goldman still flies the flag as the team’s best chance, currently on the second line of betting in early markets behind the Willie Mullins’ talented gelding Vauban, the yard could still have multiple runners in the Cup.
English Derby-winner Serpentine, Epsom Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal, Sydney Cup-winner Knights Order and Cox Plate-victor Sir Dragonet’s brother Sir Lucan could all take their spot at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November.
Waterhouse says she’s thrilled to have the highly fancied arsenal heading towards the Cup carnival, saying she can’t wait to once again be on course for the iconic event.
“The horses, the people, the whole vibe it’s just fabulous.
“It’s very exciting, I love being here every year, it never diminishes it’s like a shooting star.”
