Written by Paul Vettise
The Listed VRC St Leger outcome had an all too familiar ring to it with Transact (Dundeel {NZ}) replicating the all-the-way winning performance of a stablemate 12 months’ ago to continue Gai Waterhouse’s recent domination of the staying feature.
The 2018 edition of the time-honoured 2800 metre Flemington test was claimed in cavalier fashion off the front by Runaway (Manhattan Rain) and Transact similarly dictated terms and was never headed.
Waterhouse, who has been training in partnership with Adrian Bott in recent seasons, has now won four of the past seven St Legers having earlier prepared Hippopus (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Order Of The Sun (Encosta de Lago) to show their reserves of stamina.
“He’s going to South Australia and he’ll win the Derby.” - Gai Waterhouse.
Her latest staying protegee Transact, who added the latest black type notch to the belt of his sire Dundeel, will continue his travels with his co-trainer supremely confident of a Group 1 reward next time out.
Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse
“He’s going to South Australia and he’ll win the Derby,” Waterhouse said. “All he can do is stay.”
Runner-up in the Galilee Final in his lead-up outing, Transact was never going to be anywhere else than at the head of affairs at Flemington where rider Luke Currie played his part and always looked to be in firm control of the race.
“I had a little chat with him beforehand and when I saw the size of his saddle and I said you may as well ride him bareback,” Waterhouse said.
“Riding for Gai gives you a lot of confidence and I thought I’d go out and ride the horse that way.” – Luke Currie.
All jokes aside, it was a serious ride by Currie who gradually stepped up the tempo 800 metres from home and they never looked to be in danger.
“Riding for Gai gives you a lot of confidence and I thought I’d go out and ride the horse that way,” he said. “He was well trained and did a good job.”
Currie had to cross inside runners from a midfield gate to assume control and, once there, it was pretty much all plain sailing.
“It took a little bit to get over early and going passed the 2000 he came back to me and bowled along. I asked him to pick up from the half mile and gradually increased the tempo and he filled me with a lot of confidence a long way out.
“It’s a special day on the calendar and it’s great to ride a winner.” – Luke Currie.
“It’s a special day on the calendar and it’s great to ride a winner.”
Transact was out on his own 350 metres from the post and the bold bay held a strong gallop to keep the challenge of Rock Dove (Epaulette) at bay with American In Paris (Americain {USA}) third after having every chance from the trail.
The favourite Stars Of Carrum (Fiorente {Ire}) got back in the running and he made ground steadily for fourth without ever looking likely to finish closer.
