Gai Waterhouse has ordered Golden Slipper winner Overreach back to the spelling paddock despite the filly winning a barrier trial at Randwick yesterday.
Golden Slipper winner Overreach is heading to the paddock and will miss the Spring. Photo by Steve Hart.
Yesterday’s win over 1050m was a more pleasing effort than Overreach’s previous trial three weeks ago when second but the top Randwick trainer is not one hundred per cent happy with the Exceed And Excel filly.
Tommy Berry rode Overreach when she won the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 6 and was also aboard in her two recent trials, and agrees with Waterhouse that she needs more time to mature.
“I was expecting more from her,” Waterhouse told Racenet after her trial on August 19.
“She’s going through a growth phase.”
Berry said that Overreach’s trial yesterday was an improvement but he felt she was a long way off her best and would appreciate the extra rime before being prepared for next year’s Autumn Carnival..
“She had to be a bit stronger this preparation if she was going to make that next step and I think she is still growing,” Berry told Racing Network.
“Her trial yesterday was better than the first but it was still short of what we know she can do.
“Tipping her out now will give her every chance to come back in the autumn, I think it is a good decision.”
Overreach is the winner of three races from five starts, with earnings of $2.3 million in prizemoney.
