Gai Waterhouse watches the Cox Plate. Picture: Racing Photos
Gai Waterhouse is still without a Cox Plate win but the Hall Of Fame trainer was gracious in defeat by heaping praise on the two horses that managed to run down her gallant Alligator Blood.
“He’s (Alligator Blood) such a good horse and the horses that beat him are the crème de la crème,” she said.
“The best horse in all of Asia (Romantic Warrior) and Mr Brightside, who has been his sparring partner all spring.
“My horse was very brave and fought right to the line. He got in front and dared them to run him down and it took two exceptional horses to nail him.
“it was such a fabulous race with great horses going toe to toe. That’s what we have been waiting to see.”
Waterhouse, who trains Alligator Blood on partnership with Adrian Bott, said she knew the winning margin would be a small one and was just hoping that a few things went the way of her horse.
She explained that she looked for and found four-time Cox Plate winning rider Brent Thomson for some advice before the race.
“I said to Brent Thomson before, ‘you’ve won four Cox Plates, so give me the tip on how we can win from barrier five’,” she said.
“He did, but he must have saved something up his sleeve.”