Herculian Prince

SMH
Patrick Bartley, Sydney
October 3, 2010

Gai Waterhouse celebrates her 100th group 1 win yesterday. Photo: Dallas Kilponen
LEADING Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse was yesterday only prepared to momentarily dwell on winning her 100th group 1 race after Herculian Prince took out the Metropolitan Handicap, instead keener to concentrate on winning her first Melbourne Cup.

Waterhouse admitted her confidence had been shaken during the week when Herculian Prince was eight lengths last in the previous Saturday's Colin Stephen Stakes at Randwick.

Waterhouse said Herculian Prince had performed at his ''very worst'' last week, but listened to key staff who urged her to start the horse in the Metropolitan.

Waterhouse amazingly racked up her 100th group 1 win after controversially only gaining her licence in 1994.

''Last week was a freak of nature and it proved if you can't breathe, you can't run,'' Waterhouse said.

''He obviously had a breathing setback but my staff convinced me that the horse was a thousand per cent better than last week so I said, let's run.''

While Herculian Prince gave Waterhouse a career milestone, Melbourne trainer Peter Moody, who prepared the $3.60 favourite Mr Charlie, was clearly upset by the ride of Luke Nolen.

Mr Charlie appeared to be in an inferior part of the track for most of the trip but still managed to finish sixth.

In contrast, Waterhouse was talking Melbourne Cup, a race that has eluded her during her decorated career. ''It's off to Melbourne now and it's off to tackle everything, even that Melbourne Cup,'' she said.

Herculian Prince started at $4.80 and won by 3½ lengths from former Irish stayer Mourayan ($18), with local No Wine No Song, at $5.50, in third place.

Waterhouse believes that Herculian Prince, who was purchased from New Zealand 12 months ago, will be a key player in the Melbourne Cup and the horse will leave for Melbourne early next week.

The two Moody runners, Mr Charlie and Macedonian, were caught on the inside of the track, which was badly affected after heavy rain during the afternoon.