Better Get Set ready to go for Gai Waterhouse Classic

By Glenn Davis

The training partnership of Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted are hopeful talented mare Better Get Set can claim a second stakes race in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich on Saturday.

The co-trainers also will be represented by Enterprise Pomme, who drew the car park in barrier 19, but will come in to gate 13 with the early scratchings.

One of those scratchings was the surprise withdrawal of the Annabel Neasham-trained Lady Laguna, who was one of the early fancies in the 1200 metre feature.

Better Get Set, who drew barrier seven, is having only her second run this campaign after returning with a brave fifth, beaten just over five lengths, by the Barry Lockwood-trained Petronius in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 3.

Better Get Set claimed her maiden Listed victory in the Just Now at Eagle Farm in December.

“She came back to racing over 1000 metres but it was always going to be too short for her,” co-trainer Hoysted said.

“We liked the way she got to the line in the Lightning and she’s taken a lot of improvement from that run.

“Getting out to 1200 metres will suit her a lot better.

“She’s a big gross mare and was always going to tighten up after her last run and she’s won at Ipswich, which is a bonus.”

Hoysted had rated Lady Laguna as one of her main threats before the Neasham stable was forced to scratch her.

A rising six-year-old, Better Get Set won’t head to the breeding barn next season and instead will head to the Queensland summer carnival.

Meanwhile, Hoysted was disappointed with Enterprise Pomme's wide barrier.

Enterprise Pomme is coming off an impressive all-the-way win over 1200 metres in a Class 4 event at Doomben on May 31.

“The alley is a problem but she’s got nice early speed and is not out of it,” Hoysted said.

“It was a big drop in class for her last start and she couldn’t have been more impressive.

“The Gai Waterhouse doesn’t look a vintage race this year and the markets may have got it right.”

In latest TAB markets, Russian Conquest and Snapped are joint favourites with Better Get Set at $9.50 and Enterprise Pomme at $15.