Leading Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse has both Cosmic Endeavour and Driefontein in the 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara field and Waterhouse stable foreman Mark Newnham is happy with the condition of both horses heading into the Group 1 event at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Cosmic Endeavour defeated Driefontein to win the 2014 Dane Ripper Stakes at Eagle Farm just under a fortnight ago. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Cosmic Endeavour and Driefontein finished first and second respectively in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7 and Newnham told Sky Racing HQ that he believes both are genuine winning chances in the Tattersall’s Tiara.
“Both are at the top of their form and both enjoy dry tracks,” Newnham said.
“They are drawn well and I can see them both running really well.
“Cosmic Endeavour just had the wood over Driefontein there last start, but there is not a lot in it and it may come down to run of the race stuff.”
Driefontein (barrier three) and Cosmic Endeavour (barrier five) have both been drawn towards the inside of the 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara field and Newnham is confident that both Waterhouse runners will receive a lovely run into the race; with the former jockey revealing that Damien Oliver may not necessarily take up the running on Driefontein in the early stages of the race.
“Damien should be able to either dictate from the front or if the pace is hot, he has the option to take a sit there,” Newnham said.
“The other filly is drawn just outside her and I imagine that Tommy will try to slot her where he did the other day, with a bit of cover.”
While Driefontein has a Group 1 victory to her name after taking out the Robert Sangster Classic, Cosmic Endeavour will be making his debut at the highest level of racing in the Tattersall’s Tiara.
Cosmic Endeavour is set to start the $500,000 race as one of the favourite, after scoring wins in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m), Inglis Guineas (1400m) and Dane Ripper Stakes during her preparation, and Newnham said that the Waterhouse stable has been delighted with the form of the Northern Meteor filly this campaign.
“She has thrived on the trip away,” Newnham said.
“Even here, she wasn’t getting tracks to suit her and she was racing really well and still managed to win a Group 2 on affected ground.
“The last two starts she has had good ground and she has shown the turn-of-foot that we know she has got.”
Cosmic Endeavour is currently equal favourites in 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara betting markets with Red Tracer, at a quote of $5, while Driefontein is available at odds of $11.
