Watermans Bay To The Paddock Following Victoria Handicap Win

Talented Perth sprinter Watermans Bay worked home strongly to record his first win in Melbourne in the 2015 Victoria Handicap at Caulfield this afternoon.

Watermans Bay returned to Melbourne racing with a credible fifth place finish in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 21, but he went into the Victoria Handicap at big odds after he finished at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at the same venue a fortnight later.

Disposition was the best-backed runner in Victoria Handicap betting markets and was rated the better of the two Perth-based gallopers in the, but the talented three-year-old was never able to get into the finish, while Watermans Bay finished over the top of The Peak and Sistine Demon to record an impressive victory.

Trainer Dan Morton said that there were a number of reasons why Watermans Bay failed to fire in the Newmarket Handicap, but he was optimistic about his chances heading into the Victoria Handicap.

“It was a disappointng effort last start and it went a little bit pear shaped in that run, but was working super going into the Newmarket and we just had to put him back together for his and he finishes his races off super when he is right,” Morton said.

“I didn’t overtax him and luckily enough he had a bit of residual fitness that we were counting on and he was able to get the job done.

“I think we would be keen to put him in a paddock now.

“He has been in and out with only short breaks in between.”

Jockey Steven Arnold had a tough job wasting during the week in order to be able to take the ride on Watermans Bay in the Victoria Bay and he was thrilled that his hard work had paid off.

The talented hoop was quick to pay credit to the turn-of-foot that Watermans Bay exhibited in the final stages of the race and was pleased to see the gelding return to his best form.

“He did a great job,” Arnold said.

“We thought he was going really well going into the Newmarket, but he put in a really below par performance, but he was back to his best today up to that trip.

“I thought that we would be midfield and I was actually happy to be behind Amorino in the race and then got off the Peak’s back.

“He had a good kick late.”

Disposition was caught three and four wide throughout the Victoria Handicap and he could only battle to the line in the final stages to finish just outside the placings.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.