News

Gai confident in Nursery pair

14th Dec 2016

She was “the standout filly’’ at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sales and Gai Waterhouse believes Serena Bay can continue to prove her initial judgment correct in Saturday’s $500,000 Inglis Nursery.

Waterhouse will saddle up two Sebring fillies in the juvenile feature - Sheikha will join Serena Bay in the Restricted Listed event.

But it’s what she saw in Serena Bay, a daughter of black-type winning Perth mare Caiguna, at the Easter Sale that Waterhouse believes sets Serena Bay apart from the rest.

“She was a very relaxed filly at Easter, strong yet well-natured with a can-do attitude from day one and that’s exactly what she has shown us so far – that can-do attitude,’’ Waterhouse said.

“She’s a very professional filly and for me was the standout filly at the Easter Sale and there was never any other discussion but to buy her.

“She’s done nothing wrong so far and I expect that won’t change on Saturday.’’

Waterhouse paid $200,000 for Serena Bay at the Easter Yearling Sale from the Edinburgh Park draft.

She remains unbeaten after two starts, winning on debut at Kembla Grange before graduating to Saturday class with victory in the Golden Gift at Rosehill three weeks ago.

Serena Bay opened an $8 chance with TAB today, behind runaway debut winner She Will Reign from the Gary Portelli stable, who is $1.90 favourite.

“I know the other horse [She Will Reign] last week was impressive at the provincials but my filly is a class act,’’ Waterhouse said.

Serena Bay has drawn barrier six for Saturday’s race, while Sheikha will jump from gate nine.

Sheikha has raced once, finishing second at Kembla Grange.

She is a daughter of Charge Forward mare Solar Charged, who won her first two career starts for John O’Shea in 2009, including the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes.

She then finished sixth in Crystal Lily’s Golden Slipper.

Sheikha is owned by His Excellency Nasser Lootah, who raced Mossfun to win the Inglis Nursery in 2013 on her way to winning the Golden Slipper the following year.

Sheikha is a $6 Inglis Nursery chance with TAB.

The other features on Saturday’s Randwick card are the $250,000 Inglis Sprint – for Inglis-purchased 3YOs – and the Inglis Villiers.