Gai Waterhouse admits to finally win Melbourne Cup "is a bit overwhelming"

THE TRAINER: GAI Waterhouse was leaving for Flemington on Cup morning when thoughts of her father, the late Tommy Smith, flooded her mind.

Gai Waterhouse with the Melbourne Cup at a celebration party at the French Brasserie. Picture: Mark Evans

GAI Waterhouse was leaving for Flemington racecourse on Cup morning when thoughts of her famous father, the late Tommy Smith, flooded her mind.

"I thought how excited Dad would be knowing I had the favourite in the Melbourne Cup,'' Waterhouse said.

"I've had three seconds before but Fiorente was the best chance I've ever had of winning the Cup.

"To finally win the Melbourne Cup is a bit overwhelming really.''

Fiorente powered to a famous Melbourne Cup win at Flemington yesterday, ending a frustrating 21-year wait for racing's first lady.

She had prepared three second placegetters previously with Te Akau Nick (1993), Nothin' Leica Dane (1995) and Fiorente last year.

""Everyone who is a trainer wants to win the majors and the major staying racing in Australia is the Melbourne Cup so this ticks that one off the bucket list,'' Waterhouse said.

"It's the holy grail, it's the most important staying race we have in the southern hemisphere. It's just a great thrill.''

WATERHOUSE became the second female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup after Sheila Laxon with Ethereal in 2001.

SHE is only the third trainer to complete the Golden Slipper-Melbourne Cup double in the year. The others were Bart Cummings (1966 and 1979), and Lee Freedman (1995).

News_Image_File: An overjoyed Gai Waterhouse celebrates after her win. Picture: Getty Images

HER Group 1 tally is now 119 - and rising.

SHE has won five Golden Slippers, a Caulfield Cup and now the Melbourne Cup - only the Cox Plate is needed to complete the Grand Slam.

WATERHOUSE has also won the race recognised as the "fifth'' major, the Doncaster Mile on seven occasions.

Fiorente was beaten by the Lloyd Williams-owned Green Moon last year and Waterhouse thought "if I can't beat 'em, join 'em.'''

"I rang Lloyd and he has very kindly mentored me about the Melbourne Cup,'' Waterhouse said,.

"He told me what worked for Green Moon and he recommended a similar race program so I ran Fiorente in exactly the same races this spring.

"I was talking to Lloyd only yesterday and he was reminding me that if it wasn't for him, Dad would not have won his second Melbourne Cup with Just A Dash in 1981.

"Lloyd maintains he convinced Dad to keep Just A Dash in Melbourne that spring to get ready for the Cup.

News_Image_File: Gai Waterhouse with Damien Oliver and The Melbourne Cup at a celebration party at the French Brasserie, Melbourne. pic mark evans

"I thought what works for Lloyd and Dad might work for me.''

Waterhouse's father, the late Tommy Smith won two Melbourne Cup with Toparoa (1955) and Just A Dash (1981).

"It great to have the Cup back at Tulloch Lodge and nice to be up there with Dad,'' she added.

But like she has done most of her career, Waterhouse also ignored the critics to concentrate on Fiorente's Melbourne Cup preparation.

The critics felt Fiorente would have been flattened after his torrid run for third in the Cox Plate but Waterhouse said this was all part of the renowned "Tulloch Lodge bone and muscle theory".

"People are kidding themselves thinking horses should have soft runs before big races,'' Waterhouse said.

"These big 'colts" needed to be conditioned and the hard run Fiorente had in the Cox Plate was exactly what he needed.''

Waterhouse has broken the glass ceiling for female trainers during her celebrated training career and she understood the historical significance of becoming the second female trainer to win the race.

News_Rich_Media: Australia's first lady of racing, Gai Waterhouse, has won her maiden Melbourne Cup with Fiorente, but not before a summons to the Stewards sent a scare through the camp.

"We are in rarefied air with you mob (press) - with that I will do my hair,'' she said running a brush through her hair.

Waterhouse was asked what was left for to achieve. "I want to become a better grandmother,'' she replied.

This prompted speculation she might be thinking of retirement from training but Waterhouse was straight back on the front foot.

"I didn't say that,'' she said. "Remember, I've worn two hats for a long time.''

Waterhouse admitted she was still trying to come to terms with being recognised as a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer.

"I'll wake up tomorrow morning and I might be able to tell you how it feels,'' she said.

News_Image_File: Damien Oliver is hugged by trainer Gai Waterhouse (left) after riding Fiorente to win the Melbourne Cup. Picture AP

"It's very exciting I can't even describe it but I'm so thrilled for the owners because they buy the horse a year ago and it runs second the first time it goes around in the Melbourne Cup and it comes back and wins the Cup.

"I love racing and I love being involved with it and no one does it better than the VRC with the Melbourne Cup, and what a fabulous race, it's the race that stops a nation.

"I've got to do it again now, haven't I?"