Gai Waterhouse wants to set gutsy filly Sherocksmyworld for the Group One TJ Smith in Brisbane after a narrow first-up win at Canterbury.
Gai Waterhouse and Nash Rawiller continued on their winning way at Canterbury on Wednesday when they combined with classy two-year-old Sherocksmyworld.
The trainer and jockey combination dominated the Sydney autumn carnival with seven Group One wins and Sherocksmyworld could get her chance at the elite level in Brisbane next month.
Sherocksmyworld ($2.30 fav) overcame the outside barrier to hold on and defeat Blowin' Your Mind ($12) by a nose in the Tabsportsbet Handicap (1100m).
Waterhouse has nominated Sherocksmyworld for the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 9 and Rawiller isn't doubting the champion trainer's decision to set her sights on that race.
"I wouldn't say a mile is going to be her best trip but I'm not going to say you can't do it. I know how good you are," Rawiller told Waterhouse after Wednesday's race.
Sherocksmyworld resumed for the first time this year having placed at her only two previous starts, including a second to subsequent Black Opal Stakes winner Epaulette on Boxing Day at Rosehill.
"I think she's always been above average," Waterhouse said.
"She ran behind Epaulette at Rosehill one time. She's a really good filly in the making.
"The TJ (Smith) is what I've nominated her for and I'd love to see her there."
Waterhouse said the daughter of Fastnet Rock would remain in Sydney for her next start to boost her prizemoney ahead of the planned trip to Brisbane.
"I'm here and I think it's better if she stays here another few weeks and just gets more seasoned and more prizemoney under her belt," Waterhouse said.
Rawiller made it a double when he partnered Mossamine to victory in the Mossman @ Vinery Handicap (1550m).
The TJ Smith is also a consideration for trainer David Payne with Honorius after the colt chased down Fiveandahalfstar to win the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1550m).
Honorius dropped in class from the Listed Fernhill Handicap and got on a firmer surface which proved decisive after he struggled in heavy going last start.
Lightly-raced filly Zauberflote also impressed with her first-up win in the Bowermans Office Furniture Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury.
Her trainer Guy Walter, who claimed the Australian Oaks with Streama and Emancipation Stakes with Skyerush during the Sydney carnival, felt Zauberflote could have been competitive over the autumn but a setback derailed his plans.
"It was unfortunate that she went shin sore after her debut win (last December) at Gosford, otherwise I think she would have been running in some nice races during the autumn carnival," Walter said.
"I think she's a very nice filly."
