Gai Waterhouse has English in commanding fashion for Brisbane campaign

TRAINER Gai Waterhouse has indicated English will bypass the BTC Cup and go fresh into the Doomben 10,000.

English could bypass the BTC Cup and run first-up in the Doomben 10,000.

TRAINER Gai Waterhouse indicated through the week English would not be making the trip to Brisbane until the end of the month, meaning she will bypass the BTC Cup and go fresh into the Doomben 10,000.

Sportsbet has English marked $3.20 favourite for the BTC Cup, with Fell Swoop $3.50.

Did the Canberra flyer do enough on Saturday to start skinny odds in the BTC Cup?

You would think bookies would chance their arm after the narrow win over Didntcostalot, who connections will have primed for a rematch. Artlee was the big Stradbroke mover on Saturday, firming from $26 to $10 with UBET after his slashing third.

TAKE NOTE: Rageese is said to be Queensland bound, with a 10,000 and Guineas campaign being looked at by trainer Darren Weir. If he continues to flourish as he has in his first two starts for Weir, he could be a Stradbroke wildcard if connections throw his name into the mix.

DECISION PENDING: Connections remain noncommittal on a Queensland trip for New Zealand star Xtravagant, who was back in dominant form at Te Rapa on Saturday, clocking one of the fastest times in the past 25 years at the course. His previous style of going hard in front would have given him no hope of winning a Stradbroke, but on the way he settled in behind them on Saturday, if he arrived here in peak form he presents as an ideal candidate based on his best ratings. Fingers crossed Te Akau Racing presses the button on a Sunshine State tilt.

BACK IN THE GROOVE: After one of his most forgettable weeks following the float incident, trainer Tony Gollan can see a change in momentum after a lean trot in recent times. “It’s been a tough month and I made a few training mistakes. I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t go through a slow patch at some stage and there’s quite a few trainers here in Brisbane who would admit they never quite mastered the changes we have had (with training). We’ve also had a few other things go wrong, but I’m pretty happy with where we’re at now,” Gollan said. Tiyatrolani lit up the stable’s winter hopes with a super win, before Didntcostalot frightened the life out of Fell Swoop in the Victory.

Tony Gollan is happy with hos his stable is travelling. Picture: Grant Peters

DISMISSED: Robbie Fradd wasted no time poking a hole in the appellant’s case in the protest, where Gotyacovered and Lordag bumped close to the line. “It’s not enough to cost the horse the race. It’s happened one stride max before the line and I can’t see how it could stop her winning,” Fradd said. Stewards agreed and quickly dismissed the objection. Stewards weren’t as obliging to Fradd a little while later though, outing him for 11 days over his ride on Miami Dade in the Gunsynd.

FORGIVING: Michael Cahill said Trubia was beaten by the barrier in the last. “The winner drew two and the runner-up three,” he said. “I didn’t really want to be out there (middle of the track). Nothing won from out there all day.”

THE QUOTE: “I was the happiest rider in the race. They were flying along.” Trainer Barry Lockwood was able to ride hands and heels from the grandstand as Cashing Up got a beautiful run through the field to win the three-year-old at Doomben on Saturday. His only scare came late in the race, when jockey Michael Cahill had to alter course as Fiery Heights shifted out. “He’s put on about 60kg since he first arrived. I think he will run 2000m easily, but I’m not going to the Derby. We will look at the Queensland Guineas if he keeps improving.”

Cashing Up, left, scored an impressive win at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters

Originally published as Gai Waterhouse has English in commanding fashion for Brisbane campaign