There's been no sign of cider at Tulloch Lodge - only champagne - after an utterly dominant autumn carnival. Pierro's golden run, Laser Hawk's emergence, More Joyous' greatest triumph and a string of minor race successes has once again catapulted Gai Waterhouse to the forefront of punter's minds, reminding all and sundry just how good a trainer this woman is. Sure, it came with the typical Gai bravado - 'There is no possible way this horse can lose,'; 'I'd be very surprised if my three don't run

There's been no sign of cider at Tulloch Lodge - only champagne - after an utterly dominant autumn carnival. Pierro's golden run, Laser Hawk's emergence, More Joyous' greatest triumph and a string of minor race successes has once again catapulted Gai Waterhouse to the forefront of punter's minds, reminding all and sundry just how good a trainer this woman is. Sure, it came with the typical Gai bravado - 'There is no possible way this horse can lose,'; 'I'd be very surprised if my three don't run the trifecta and space fourth' - but the fact is she backed up her bluster with results on the track. You've got to love the fact that Waterhouse runners get the services of N Rawiller and are generally ridden forward and out of trouble. Pretty simply, Gai is a big race performer, with her horses generally possessed of the requisite Group 1 profile, and she commands respect at this time of year. Who's to say she won't finish with a parting shot or two this weekend, with the Triple Crown looking to be at Pierro's mercy and More Joyous favourite for another Group 1?

Elsewhere, first markets have just been released for the SA Derby. We've gone okay this autumn, selecting SAMAREADY on top for the Blue Diamond at $17 and ETHIOPIA as the best roughie for the ATC Derby at 50's, so perhaps have a little something on Team Williams' PRACTICED at the $11 on offer. He was badly held up whilst Vatuvei was busy making a winning run at Flemington on Anzac Day and looks in the race up to his ears.