Talented mare Real Surreal has more than earned her position in the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) field after storming home to win Saturday’s Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) by half a neck at the Ipswich Turf Club.
Real Surreal posted an impressive win in the 2015 Gai Waterhouse Classic on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Costello
Real Surreal experienced huge from punters in the hours leading up to the 2015 Gai Waterhouse Classic and did her chances no harm whatsoever when jumping from the gates well and settling in prime position on the heels of the race’s early leaders.
Receiving an ideal run in transit, the Real Saga mare was offered a clear racing line up arriving on the final straight and immediately responded when jockey Michael Cahill asked for an extra effort; pulling clear to hit the line comfortably ahead of Tukiyo and Fare Well.
Trainer Kelso Wood lost Real Surreal from his stable prior to her 2014 campaign, and was understandably elated to saddle the four-year-old to a maiden black type win in only her second appearance back for the Eagle Farm horseman.
“I just want to thank the owners for sending her back to me. She is something special and I think she should have won by further today,” Wood said after the Gai Waterhouse Classic.
“She got back in the field and had trouble getting clear.”
Having won the 2013 Gold Coast Magic Millions 2.y.o Classic (1200m) in her maiden preparation, Wood is confident the conditions of the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara will play directly into the strengths of Real Surreal.
“She likes the Gold Coast and she is racing well. Why not try for the Group 1,” Wood added.
Arriving in the care of Team Hawkes leading into the 2014 autumn, Real Surreal was set for the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m); running second in the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) in the lead-up and finishing a credible eighth in the feature race.
Having placed a competitive fourth in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality (1200m) in her only other start prior to her Gai Waterhouse Classic triumph this time, Real Surreal has not posted a commendable four wins and two minors from eleven career starts.
Punters who backed Real Surreal with leading online bookie took advantage of odds as great as $5.20!
2015 Gai Waterhouse Classic Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | REAL SURREAL | Kelso Wood | Michael Cahill | – | 3 | 55kg | $3.30F |
| 2 | 3 | TUKIYO | John Dann | Ric McMahon | 0.2L | 14 | 54.5kg | $12 |
| 3 | 8 | FARE WELL | Clarry Conners | Jim Byrne | 0.4L | 7 | 54kg | $7.50 |
| 4 | 7 | REFER | Heath Conners | Tegan Harrison | 0.5L | 10 | 54kg | $12 |
| 5 | 13 | SLOTS | Grant Marshall | Glen Colless | 0.7L | 6 | 54kg | $12 |
| 6 | 10 | WRITE CHEEK | Matthew Dunn | Jeff Lloyd | 1.5L | 12 | 54kg | $21 |
| 7 | 14 | MYWAYORTHEHIGHWAY (NZ) | Mick Mair | Daniel Griffin | 1.7L | 13 | 54kg | $17 |
| 8 | 12 | SISTER EMMA | Matthew Dunn | Timothy Bell | 2.5L | 2 | 54kg | $11 |
| 9 | 9 | SATURN ROCK | Tony Crane | Robbie Fradd | 2.7L | 11 | 54kg | $31 |
| 10 | 4 | CHAMPAGNE CATH | Chris Waller | Paul Hammersley | 2.9L | 9 | 54kg | $5.50 |
| 11 | 5 | LITTLE BROWN HORSE | Kelly Doughty | Geoffrey Goold (a) | 3.7L | 4 | 54kg | $21 |
| 12 | 11 | GREY COUNTESS | Rochelle Smith | Ryan Wiggins | 4L | 8 | 54kg | $31 |
| 13 | 15 | A FINE DROP OF RED | Rex Lipp | Matthew McGuren (a) | 4.1L | 5 | 54kg | $81 |
| 14 | 6 | DISCREET | Kelly Schweida | Luke Tarrant (a) | 5.6L | 1 | 54kg | $12 |
