Racing identity Gai Waterhouse on her journey to attend Gold Coast’s Magic Millions amid coronavirus

Horse trainers, agents and owners have had to jump through quite a few hoops to make their way to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions.

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THE first lady of Australian racing was never going to miss the biggest yearling sale and racing festival in Australia, the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions.

Sydney’s Gai Waterhouse did what she had to do to get to the Gold Coast this week without having to quarantine – and was yesterday doing her annual inspections at the Bundall sales yards via golf buggy.

With ongoing travel restrictions in Australia, Ms Waterhouse said she relocated away from the Greater Sydney area for a couple of weeks to ensure she wouldn’t be in quarantine during the seven-day sale from Tuesday.

Top trainer Gai Waterhouse driving staff Emma Coleman and Claudia Miller around the sales to view the yearlings. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“It’s been like going to another country. I don’t know what has got into Australia,” she said.

“It’s a strange world we live in. We did what we needed to do. We filled out all the correct forms and went on from there.”

Ms Waterhouse, who has trained more than 140 Group 1 winners, used a golf buggy yesterday to travel around to see the yearlings on offer for next week’s sale with companions Claudia Miller and Emma Coleman.

Gai Waterhouse at the sales. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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Also casting her eye across the field was international bloodstock agent Marie Yoshida.

It was a long journey for Ms Yoshida to reach the Gold Coast, enduring two days of flying to travel from Kentucky to Sydney before a two-week quarantine followed by her final flight to the Coast on yesterday.

Hong Kong bloodstock agent Maree Yoshida at the sales. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Ms Yoshida, from France but based in Kentucky as co-owner of historic Winchester Farms, spent her first day out of quarantine inspecting the yearlings.

“I feel very privileged and lucky to be here,” Ms Yoshida said.

“I have a husband and three teenage children. It was the first time ever that we have been separated for Christmas and New Year’s.

“What can you do? We had no option.

“You should all feel very grateful in Australia that you have strong ladies, who are strict with quarantine.

“I’m totally in favour of it and I’ll do it again if needed and if that’s what it takes to find good horses.”

Ms Yoshida said she kept herself busy in hotel quarantine on a spin bike, organising her horse breeding farm and studying for the upcoming sale.

“I loved it because I could watch live racing in Victoria, Sydney and the rest,” she said.

“I could also watch my favourite racing live, which is Hong Kong.

Horses being viewed before the Magic Millions Sales at Bundall. Pictured is Maree Yoshida. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“My room had a huge TV and I had my computer along with my iPad, so I could watch racing on three screens at the same time.”

With years of experience under her belt, Ms Yoshida admitted she had already liked the look of some horses but wouldn’t give away any secrets.

“Every year I go to the same places at the same time. I have my rhythm,” she said.

“Some have already caught my eye.”

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