Sydney’s leading lady of racing Gai Waterhouse today uncovered two livewire mile-and-a-half Group 1 chances with British imports Greatwood and Bonfire running one-two in the Premier’s Cup 2014 at Rosehill Gardens.

Premier's Cup winner Greatwood will stay in Sydney for a shot at the 2014 The Metropolitan. Photo: Steve Hart.

The duo both went out at single figures in this year’s $100,000 Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) and ran the ideal early spring trials ahead of the better carnival races over more distance.

The four-year-old winner Gatewood had just his second run on Aussie soil having debuted down under with a close third when beaten under a length by the promising Entirely Platinum over 1400m at the track a fortnight ago.

Fellow Maduro gelding, five-year-old Bonfire meanwhile also ran in Australia for the first time at that meeting when carting a hefty 61kg to a nice second behind Hoylonny over the same distance he raced over in the Premier’s Cup.

On the line Greatwood ($5.50), ridden again by Tommy Berry, pulled away to win by a decent one and three quarter lengths over Tim Clark’s mount Bonfire ($5) while the Chris Waller-trained favourite He’s Your Man ($3.60) was just a neck further away in third.

Greatwood was quick out of the gates today and hit the front to lead from Waller’s French import He’s Your Man with Bonfire third.

The eventual Premier’s Cup winner got his own way up front ahead of the punters’ pick and set a moderate pace while the stablemate was locked away in a pocket on the rail in third ready to finish off strongly.

Going in the straight Greatwood held the lead with Bonfire coming into the clear and He’s Your Man chasing.

In an accomplished all-the-way effort however Greatwood was too good after finding the lead and rolling along all the way into calculations for the $400,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 4.

As for Bonfire plans from Tulloch Lodge are to take him to Melbourne for a shot at the coveted $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18.

Pre-race Waterhouse said she would run the Premier’s Cup quinella and the always-entertaining trainer was thrilled when her predictions came true.

“These are two outstanding stayers,” she said.

“Greatwood’s just done very well in his condition and Bonfire was a real work in progress.

“I got such a kick out of the way they ran.”

Looking further ahead to their chances in the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November, a race Waterhouse won for the first time last year with the imported Fiorente, she said “you got to be in it to win it babe!”

Updated markets on all the upcoming Group 1 staying features are due for re-release shortly at our preferred online betting agency Ladbrokes.com.au.

So to back Greatwood and Bonfire in the futures for The Metropolitan, Caulfield Cup and even the 2014 Melbourne Cup make sure you’re signed up with Ladbrokes today!

2014 Premier’s Cup Results & Finishing Order

Rosehill Race 7 – 30/08/2014