Intriguing imports
*Article by Keely Mckitterick TTR Aus NZ
Although Heat 5 over 1045 metres contained no Group 1 winners, the Waterhouse and Bott stable unleashed an intriguing import for the first time.
Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is a 5-year-old gelding formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute. The gelding was a last-start winner at Leicester and hails from the family of Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}).
Just Fine was purchased by McKeever Bloodstock and Waterhouse Bott Racing from the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale for 300,000gns (AU$607,800).
Adam Hyeronimus rode the import and ran into third behind Green Shadows (Menari) and Capital Asset (Capitalist).
While Waterhouse and Bott had their 4-year-old Japanese import Foujita (Jpn), a son of Duramente (Jpn), make a show in Heat 8.
Clark rode the gelding and narrowly beaten by Miss Couver (Vancouver).
Reeves relayed that the team was pleased with Just Fine and Foujita’s first Australian appearances.
“This was their first Australian starts, and as has been proven repeatedly with imports, they just take a little bit of time to acclimate,” Reeves said.
“And once acclimatise, get that sun on their backs, hard grain into them; they just explode.
“Just Fine and Foujita are both horses we are really looking forward to getting to the trials and onto the races. Just Fine was given a rating of mid-80s, so it’s a nice time of year to get him up and going over some distance.”
TBB Racing race a small share in European import Just Fine.