Gai Waterhouse: Flying the Queen's colours with Carlton House

WHAT a super day for the stable at Rosehill Gardens last week. I was so happy for my owners and it was the perfect way to start the Golden Slipper Festival.

Carlton House

WHAT a super day for the stable at Rosehill Gardens last week. I was so happy for my owners and it was the perfect way to start the Golden Slipper Festival.

The Pierro/More Joyous Canterbury Stakes was a great race. Truly, two champions.

A joy to behold.

The two-year-old Overreach, following her dominant win at Rosehill, is quoted as the shortest-priced favourite in a Golden Slipper for a few years.

I'm so proud of her. She is a credit to her owner-breeder George Altomonte, who has a remarkable record for producing top class racehorses from his magnificent Corumbeen Stud property.

My family rudely call me Rip Van Winkle. They say I fall asleep between carnivals and wake up in time for the big races. But the truth is I set my best horses for the best races.

THE QUEEN'S HORSE

MY big excitement on Saturday is that I start Her Majesty's Carlton House in the Ajax Stakes. He ran third, as favourite, in the Epsom Derby. Carlton House has been a fascinating stallion to train.

When he came to me from the UK, he had bad hooves and arthritic joints. His vets were administering large doses of aspirin for those joints, which I find fascinating.

I've kept him in constant work since he arrived in Australia (he last started in Hong Kong in December) but he has done most of his exercise in the surf at Botany Bay.

And the absence of percussion on his legs has worked wonders. I'm delighted with his preparation. I can't tell you how much I hope he wins.

DINNER DATE

HER Majesty's racing manager John Warren arrives in Australia from England tomorrow to watch Carlton House in the Ajax.

He asked: "Could we catch up before the race?"

I said: "Would you care to come to dinner at home on Friday night? But I must warn you, my husband likes my scrambled eggs for dinner the night before Saturday races. Daughter Kate calls it 'breakfast at dinner'! Is that alright?"

Mr Warren: "Of course, Gai, and it will lose nothing in the re-telling!"

I fear there are many Gai Waterhouse stories told in general and in England in particular. Very mean to the lady trainer!

The proudest jockey at Rosehill will be Hugh Bowman, wearing the Queen's colours.

He told me that it means a lot to him, riding for the Queen.

I know it will be a proud photo on Hugh's mantelpiece.

The silks are made from actual heavy-duty silk and quite gorgeous.

I love the gold tassel on the cap and the gold embroidery on the jacket. Magnificent. The colours date from George IV.

THE TWO-YEAR-OLDS

IN Saturday's Magic Night (two-year-old fillies), I have Greytfilly, Shahad and Major Conquest running.

These three are real quality girls.

Their aim is not the Slipper.

Greytfilly is being reserved for Keith Mackay Handicap next month while Shahad and Major Conquest will go to the Sires Produce and Champagne Stakes.

They are hard to split. Greytfilly has better form, the other two have perhaps greater potential. I don't want to make a choice.

Miss Stellabelle will be over her odds in the Birthday Card. There were lots of excuses at Warwick Farm. Punters should follow her on Saturday.

BACK TO RANDWICK

I'm so looking forward to Saturday's Rosehill feast, but also Monday's return to Royal Randwick.

I know Randwick will be a "soft opening", with only the bottom two floors open. But it will be great to be back there. So quick.

Well done, ATC!