Gai Waterhouse’s stunning start to 2014 has continued, saddling Bull Point to victory in the Group Three Manfred Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Bull Point claims 2014 Manfred Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Choosing to take the ride on Bull Point instead of pre-post favourite Prince Harada, jockey Damien Oliver’s decision was justified when moving clear of Worth A Ransom to finish a strong one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead, with The Quarterback flashing home from the tail to claim third.
“I worked him and Prince Harada a couple of weeks ago in consecutive days and there were hard to split” Oliver told AAP.
“They’re both good colts but this bloke really pleased me the way he worked with the blinkers on.
“He sat on a good speed and gave a great kick.”
Bull Point’s victory laid the icing on the cake of another successful weekend for Waterhouse after filly Nayeli claimed her second of three race starts in the Group Three Chairman’s Stakes.
Jumping on Saturday as a $3 favourite, Nayeli is firming as Waterhouse’s best chance to date at claiming an elusive Blue Diamond title, and was happy overall with the run of her talented two-year-old.
“It was her first look at Caulfield and she wobbled a bit around the turn, but once she balanced up she attacked the line” Waterhouse said.
Bull Point’s comfortable victory has ultimately resulted in several key movements in markets for the 2014 Australian Guineas, with Ladbrokes.com.au instilling the three-year-old son of Fastnet Rock as their current $6.50 favourite, while Prince Harada, who had previously shared the top line of betting, has drifted to 15-1.
Following the impressive run, Waterhouse revealed the Group One Futurity Stakes appears a likely target for Bull Point in preparation for the Guineas.
“We have been working really hard with him in Melbourne” Waterhouse said.
“He has always had the ability and it was nice to see it come together today.”
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently displaying the best odds for both the 2014 Australian Guineas and Blue Diamond Stakes.
