Trainer Chris Anderson admits Gai time worth weight in gold

THE opportunity to spend a day at the sales with Gai Waterhouse was the catalyst for emerging trainer Chris Anderson to back himself to build his own stable.

Elegant Composure wins at Doomben - Photo Grant Peters

THE opportunity to spend a day at the sales looking at yearlings with Gai Waterhouse was the catalyst for emerging trainer Chris Anderson to back himself to build his own stable.

“It was a daunting experience, having to offer my opinion on every horse, hoping I wouldn’t make a fool of myself,” Anderson said.

“But it was an unbelievable day and I just learnt so much.

“Having had that experience gives me so much more confidence when I’m assessing horses now.”

Anderson earned plaudits on Saturday after his promising mare Elegant Composure took her unbeaten stretch to five and he hopes she can make it six at the Sunshine Coast in a fortnight.

Anderson does not operate with the multi million-dollar sales budget of Waterhouse but he is putting the lessons to use in finding bargain buys.

“I’m having to try and find horses in that smaller price bracket to compete,” he said.

“I’m not complaining because I’m still doing my training apprenticeship.

“Hopefully people can see we are doing a good job.’’

Elegant Composure cost just $15,000, but not out of a sales ring.

“I had an owner come to me wanting to buy a horse but it was after the sales season had finished,” Anderson said.

“We went to Steve Morley at Glenlogan Park to see what he had left and when this Bradbury’s Luck filly walked out of the box she was just a standout.

“We had all sorts of troubles with her as a young horse.

“She had an eye ulcer and nearly lost her sight and then just kept on picking up little paddock injuries.

“It’s ended up being a blessing in disguise, because I think the Bradbury’s Luck horses are better as they get older.’’

Learning curve: Trainer Chris Anderson and Elegant Composure. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

Originally published as Trainer Chris Anderson admits Gai time worth weight in gold