Sweet Idea is set the 2014 Myer Classic as favourite after she led from start to finish in the 2014 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.
Sweet Idea was too strong for her rivals in the 2014 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jockey Tommy Berry was able to dictate the tempo early in the Tristarc Stakes and the Snitzel mare kicked away coming around the turn before fighting home bravely to hold off the fast-finishing Girl Guide in the final stages of the race.
The Caulfield track had not played well for leaders in the earlier races on the card, but Berry said that he and trainer Gai Waterhouse had no hesitation taking up the running with Sweet Idea in the Tristarc Stakes and he was pleased to see the four-year-old return to winning form.
“These are the horses I love, they go out and give you their all every start,” Berry said.
“She has been Group 1 placed and we have been trying to crack that Group 1 winner, but we haven’t been able to, but back in the mares grade she was just too good.
“I strung them out a little bit on the corner because she is tough and the second horse looked like she had her beat, but she was just too strong again.
“Gai said to me before the race ‘I don’t care what you do anymore you just go out and ride them like one of ours and don’t worry about the track, wind or anything and if you ride her like the best horse in the race she will win’ and she was spot on.
“Full credit to Gai and Roger and the team down here, they have done a marvelous job with all the horse and they deserve that.”
Waterhouse was her usual confident self heading into the Tristarc Stakes with Sweet Idea and she was delighted with the victory of the Snitzel filly in her return to fillies and mares company.
The leading Sydney trainer confirmed that Sweet Idea would press on to the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day and have the chance to score a long-awaited maiden win at Group 1 level.
“She is just joyous,” Waterhouse said.
“She was ridden the way that she likes to be ridden which is up on the speed and she was dominant and showed the others that you have to catch me if you can.
“She goes on to the Myer at Flemington and she is only against her own sex.”
Waterhouse is chasing her second win in the Myer Classic after taking out the 2005 edition of the race with Lotteria.
