TOP Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse has booked former Tasmanian rider Craig Newitt to partner her star filly Teardrop Rock for her assignment in the Betfair Hobart Guineas at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Sunday.
Newitt has finished serving out a suspension and it will be the rider’s first visit back to Tasmania since his five-win haul at Spreyton on Devonport Cup day.
He was back in the saddle at Flemington last Saturday and delivered the gods in the opening race so he remains in top form.
Teardrop Rock, by Fastnet Rock from the Zabeel mare Satin ‘N” Silk, was a $150,000 yearling purchased by Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds at the 2009 Magic Millions sale in Queensland.
She has won four of her only six starts with the latest being over 1800 metres at Randwick last Saturday week.
While shed has won four of her only six starts it was probably her half-head second to one of Sydney’s boom gallopers Sincero that signaled her arrival as a genuine class act.
Waterhouse shipped the grey filly and her older stablemate Princess Quality to Tasmania later last week and they are being stabled with Devonport trainer Barry Campbell who is Martin’s brother-in-law.
Campbell also served as Waterhouse’s Brisbane stable manager-trainer for about two years before the satellite stable was closed.
Princess Quality is in Tasmania for the $150,000 Bow Mistress Stakes ion Derby Day (February 5) and if she brings her A-game to Hobart it will take a very good one to beat her.
Waterhouse is still contemplating whether to nominate Teardrop Rock for the $150,000 Tasmanian Derby or head straight to the $150,000 Tasmanian Oaks after the Guineas.