Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have locked in their first runner in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, with Goldman winning the golden ticket into the $7.5 million race that stops the nation on the first Tuesday in November.
As many of the Waterhouse & Bott-trained runners do, Goldman took up the lead in the Roy Higgins and he led every single step of the way over 2600m and recording a dominant 2.75 length victory at his first start in Listed company.
The four-year-old gelding is yet to taste defeat since landing on Australian shores, with the son of Verdi winning at Kembla Grange and Warwick Farm before making it a hattrick of wins on Saturday at Flemington.
Since the markets opened on Wednesday, Goldman has been the favourite with online bookmakers and he was rock solid all the way through to jump time, and he saluted like a good favourite should.
2023 Roy Higgins Replay – Goldman
With White Marlin waiting in the wings to return in The Andrew Ramsden, it is fair to say that Gai Waterhouse looks to have a strong hand going into the 2023 Melbourne Cup, and she spoke post-race about Goldman's win.
“In Jordan (Childs), there is no jockey riding better in Australia,” Waterhouse said.
“He's improved out of all knowledge and Goldman has grown a leg since he's come to us.
“He's so unfurnished, but there is so much to work with.
““He's got raw talent and it will improve when he has a little break and comes back in the spring.”
Jordan Childs brought up his first winner on Australian Cup Day at Flemington and he spoke post-race after potentially booking a Melbourne Cup ride for later in the year.
“It was another step up today and he just showed his class,” Childs said.
“He was able to get into a nice rhythm, we bowled along at our own tempo and when I asked him to quicken up from the 600 I knew he was going to take some chasing.
“He was just there in my hands and whatever I wanted him to do he was able to do it.
“He's got the really bold action on him, so good luck to the team and connections.”
Goldman is now a $21 chance in the 2023 Melbourne Cup futures market with online betting sites.