‘Can’t see why he won’t win … and win easily’: Trainer Gai Waterhouse bullish on first-starter Mayfair at Randwick on Saturday

Gai Waterhouse demonstrated her trademark confidence when asked to assess first-starter Mayfair’s chances in the Petaluma Handicap (1100m) for two-year-olds at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Gai Waterhouse demonstrated her trademark confidence when asked to assess first-starter Mayfair’s chances in the Petaluma Handicap (1100m) for two-year-olds at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“I can’t see why Mayfair won’t win and won’t win easily,’’ Waterhouse declared.

Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, said Mayfair had always shown plenty of natural talent.

“Mayfair’s already had a preparation with us and he has real ability,’’ Waterhouse enthused.

“He is a very stylish colt with a great turn of foot. His trials have been good, he ticks all the boxes.’’

Mayfair, a son of champion sire Fastnet Rock, was a $625,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast last year.

2YO colt Mayfair (Fastnet Rock @CoolmoreAus x Cicatrix) claims back-to-back trial wins in Heat 4 @aus_turf_club Randwick 👏

T: @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott
J: Tim Clark
Br: S F Bloodstock
S: $625k @mmsnippets GC buy for @Chinahorseclub, @gobloodstockaus & @TrilogyRacing1 from… pic.twitter.com/gtjXRvZhcU

— TTR AusNZ (@TTRAusNZ) June 14, 2024

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He makes his race debut after two recent Randwick barrier trial wins, beating Metaphorically in both by comfortable margins.

Tim Clark has ridden Mayfair in his trial wins and has retained the ride for the colt’s race debut.

In latest TAB Fixed Odds betting, Mayfair is pressing for favouritism at $3.10 behind topweight Winning Proposal at $2.50.

Mayfair is poised to become the latest two-year-old winner to roll off the Tulloch Lodge production line this season.

The Waterhouse-Bott stable has had a stellar season with their two-year-old team, producing 23 individual juvenile winners of 32 races.

Their two-year-old winners including Lady Of Camelot (Golden Slipper, Widden Stakes), Storm Boy (Magic Millions, Skyline Stakes), Espionage (Kindergarten Stakes, Breeders Plate), Straight Charge (Silver Slipper), Fully Lit (Inglis Millennium), Prost (Canonbury Stakes) and Clean Energy (Carter Stakes).

Clean Energy makes it two from two in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben!@[e-mail]/BIeZrcxNvp

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024

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Mayfair is the only starter for Waterhouse and Bott at the Randwick meeting – the trainers have Zoumon contesting the $300,000 Caloundra Cup (2400m) on the Sunshine Coast – but if the colt can make a winning debut, it will continue their extraordinary results with their two-year-olds this season.

Waterhouse said the stable’s juvenile success is a result of meticulous planning and preparation.

“We spend a lot of time and attention with our two-year-olds, teaching them to jump well, getting them to relax in their races, and learning how to use their speed,’’ Waterhouse said. “It has certainly pays dividends this season.’’

Waterhouse said most of the stable’s best youngsters are already back in training ahead of the new season including Lady Of Camelot, Storm Boy, Straight Charge and Fully Lit.

Originally published as ‘Can’t see why he won’t win … and win easily’: Trainer Gai Waterhouse bullish on first-starter Mayfair at Randwick on Saturday