Gai Waterhouse not the only one cheering on Melbourne Cup runner Just Fine
While he may be the King’s reject, ‘Just Fine’ is proving to be exactly that for 1600 regular Aussie punters. For less than a cheap suit, everyday Australians have been able to buy a share in Gai Waterhouse’s sole 2024 Melbourne Cup runner.
Victoria
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Gai Waterhouse won’t be the only one cheering her sole Melbourne Cup runner home with gusto at Flemington on Tuesday.
All 1600 of Just Fine’s connections will have a financial stake as well as a shot at history as they realise a dream of having a runner in the race that stops a nation.
Just Fine, previously owned by King Charles, presents as the people’s horse in the $8.5m Melbourne Cup.
While foreign raiders with deep pockets and homegrown multi-millionaires spend big saddling up the 24 thoroughbreds that will take to the turf in the 3200m sporting showcase, connections of Just Fine invested as little as $250 a share.
The seven-year-old bay gelding, originally from Ireland, will be a long shot when the gates fling open at 3pm.
But Waterhouse knows dreams come true on the track and said every part-owner of the “most delightful character” she prepares for her own personal quest for a second Cup triumph should dare to dream.
“The Cup will be hard to win but he’s there with a chance,’’ she said.
“He will be a 50-1 chance but it doesn’t mean they can’t win or they don’t win.’’
Those with a stake in Just Fine are hitching a ride thanks to micro syndicate MyRacehorse and Gai’s husband Robbie, who bought the gelding to allow everyday punters to purchase a share for less than the cost of a cheap suit.
It will be the first Melbourne Cup runner the MyRacehorse crew have managed since launching in Australia in 2021.
Waterhouse told the Herald Sun it was “so so special’’ ordinary Aussies could land a runner in the Melbourne Cup.
“It just does not happen anywhere else in the world — it only happens in Australia that the average person can be involved,’’ she said.
“There are other syndicates overseas but they are really for the wealthy.
“This is for everyone.’’
Waterhouse described Just Fine as: “very nice, very well mannered … a great attitude’’.
But she was not sure King Charles would rise early in the UK to watch his old nag chase history.
“I don’t know if he will be because he might be a bit sad if Just Fine wins the Cup because he did own him at one stage,’’ she said.
Having won multiple stakes races, Just Fine and its merry band of part-owners will march on Flemington with victory in one of the world’s great sporting events in mind.
Among those cheering trackside will be Whittlesea retiree David Buttigieg.
“I’ve only got a small share in him but not many people in the world can say they’ve got a runner in the Melbourne Cup,’’ he said.
“Anything is possible.’’
MyRacehorse managing director Ben Willis said: “Owning a share in a Melbourne Cup runner is a dream come true for many horse racing fans.
“The MyRacehorse community now get to live out that dream.’’
Waterhouse, who won her sole Cup with Fiorente in 2013, said: “It’s going to be a hard Cup to win but it’s nice to be there,’’ she said.
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