The big spring Cups in Melbourne have so far eluded Gai Waterhouse but the trainer believes Herculian Prince might be able to change that following his impressive win at Randwick on Saturday.A former New Zealander, Herculian Prince ($3.40 fav) made it four wins from four starts this preparation with a dominant frontrunning display in the Listed JRA Plate (2000m), defeating Above Average ($6.50) by 1-1/4 lengths with Booming ($16) third.Waterhouse's husband Rob, who has had success getting horses
The big spring Cups in Melbourne have so far eluded Gai Waterhouse but the trainer believes Herculian Prince might be able to change that following his impressive win at Randwick on Saturday.
A former New Zealander, Herculian Prince ($3.40 fav) made it four wins from four starts this preparation with a dominant frontrunning display in the Listed JRA Plate (2000m), defeating Above Average ($6.50) by 1-1/4 lengths with Booming ($16) third.
Waterhouse's husband Rob, who has had success getting horses from across the Tasman in the past, found Herculian Prince and Descarado and both have shown considerable staying talent since joining Waterhouse's stable at Randwick.
Descarado finished second to Shoot Out in the AJC Derby last week.
Waterhouse is likely to give Herculian Prince another run or two this preparation before turning her attention to the Melbourne spring carnival.
"Isn't he a horse and a half, he makes it look so easy," the trainer said.
"He'll probably have one or two more (this preparation) but not much more because we'll get him ready for the Melbourne Cup, that's where we hope to go with him."
Herculian Prince has continued to step up this preparation, going from a couple of impressive midweek victories to winning the Listed Neville Sellwood Stakes (1900m) at Canterbury and the JRA Plate (2000m) at his past two starts.
The four-year-old dictated from the front on his home track and made his rivals chase him from a fair way out.
He kicked again topping the rise and was able to hold off the Lee Freedman-trained imported stayer Above Average, who worked to the line nicely late.
Jockey Glyn Schofield was having his first ride on the emerging stayer and was impressed by Herculian Prince's free-running nature.
"He's got a stride from here to next week, his action is beautiful for a big horse, he's very athletic and I think he'll stay all day," Schofield said.
Freedman's stable rider Dwayne Dunn sat fourth on Above Average and thought he had the winner beaten at the top of the straight before he found the winner still had plenty of fight left.
"I'm really happy with the way he went today, I thought I had the winner beaten at the top of the rise but being trained here, he kicked again," Dunn said.
Booming's trainer Jeff Lynds said he'd see how the five-year-old came through the race.
"He's in the Sydney Cup next week," he said.