Its A Group 1 Win For Gai Waterhouse Again

Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse was at it again last Saturday when she racked up another win at the highest level with Aqua D'Amore (pictured) taking out the Group 1 Futurity Stakes over 1600m at Caulfield. This tough as teak mare, which had been placed in her previous two races in Group One company, finally broke through to win beating the red hot favourite and arch rival El Segundo. If Aqua D'Amore can repeat the dose in this Saturday's Australian Cup, she will have the opportunity to contest the $875,000 Prince of Wales' Stakes over 2000m at Royal Ascot on June 20 - and win her owners a $500,000 bonus!

- Peter Morley

It's Marasco Time

Boom WA Galloper Marasco heads to Caulfield tomorrow to take on all challenges in the St George Stakes over 1800m. Many consider the step up in distance could be a stumbling block for Marasco, but trainer Fred Kersley is training him to run out a strong 2000m in the Australian Cup next month and tomorrows step up from 1400m to 1800m shouldn't pose too great a problem for the brilliant son of Scenic. There's some tough opposition in the race and Pompeii Ruler and Gai Waterhouse's Aqua D'amore will be there if there's a chink in his armour!

- Peter Morley

Horses to Follow

There's some top racing action right around the country over the weekend. Check out the sensational looking black colt Hoystar with D. Beadman on board in race 2 at Rosehill, and get on Apache Cat with G. Boss atop when the pair go around in the Carlyon Cup at Caulfield. On Sunday, Gai's got four going to Gosford for their big meeting, and she fancies her chances with Master Magic in the Gosford Guineas. He's never missed a place at any of his seven lifetime starts and should be a good each way bet for you.

Marasco Lands in Melbourne

Another potential champ for WA..

Western Australia's latest boom galloper Marasco has landed safe and sound in Melbourne on his way to a run in the Group 1 Australian Cup. Trainer Fred Kersley has plans to run Marasco first up in Melbourne this Saturday in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes against a star studded line up of high quality horses.

At Caulfield trackwork this morning, Marasco worked from the 1000 metres at even-time and picked up pace to run the last 600 metres in 36 seconds and the last 400 metres in 25 seconds. “The times were nothing out of the box, but the work was excellent,” track rider and Kersley stable foreman Paul Dyson said.

A winner at six of his last seven starts, Marasco's followers will get the opportunity to secure a decent price on their horse as he lines up against some of Australia's best! One has to remember that this Saturdays isn't Marasco's main goal, but it'll certainly tell us all where he's at in relation to the other top liners who have already proven themselves at the elite Group 1 level.

- Peter Morley