PUZZLED by Almalad’s failure in yesterday’s Caulfield Guineas, Gai Waterhouse will wait a week before deciding if the colt will start in the Cox Plate.
What has perplexed Waterhouse even more is that Almalad emerged in good shape from the Caulfield Guineas, which saw him fade to finish eighth behind Shooting To Win in yesterday’s $1 million Group 1.
After racing on the outside of Rich Enuff, which was beaten a long neck by Shooting To Win, Almaladcompounded over the concluding stages.
“I can’t quite fathom it out,” Waterhouse said. “Caulfield has been the death trap of many horses, it’s a funny old place”
Waterhouse recalled that Kingston Town and Pierro were beaten in the Caulfield Guineas after going into the race as dominant favourites.
Almalad’s defeat ignited speculation that the colt may now not head to the Cox Plate.
Waterhouse said she is not sure what to do. “I’m not quite sure where I’m going to go next, I’ll watch him in the next few days and see which way he goes.
“After running like he did yesterday you would think the Cox Plate would be too rich, but I could not fault him going into the Guineas. I was really quite confident.
“I’m a great believer in staying with your original plan. I’d just like the dust to settle, I probably won’t make any decision for a week.”