COMMON OBJECTIVE THE 'FIRST LADY'S' BIG HOPE IN CUP

LEADING trainer Gai Waterhouse looks set to extend her winning run with Common Objective accepting for the $101,550 Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The five year-old gelding is looking to atone for his disappointing last start run when he lines up against a classy field of 12 runners after acceptances today.

Common Objective will tackle the experienced Chris Waller-trained Enzedex Eagle, Graeme Rogerson’s Bid Spotter, Anthony Cummings’ Nothin’ Leica Cat (NZ) and New Zealand surprise packet Indikator.

Enzedex Eagle will resume his rivalry with Indikator after they finished third and fourth respectively in the Newcastle Cup over the same distance.

The Waterhouse camp is confident Common Objective will bounce back to his best form for Saturday after he finished eighth in the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on a soft track on October 3.

"He has been a little disappointing this preparation and maybe he hasn't made the weight-for-age step up,” said Waterhouse assistant trainer Tanya Rouse.

“Gai is dropping him back in class and hopefully this will put him back in the winner’s circle and Gai will re-address the plans from there."

The Cummings camp is pleased with Nothin' Leica Cat’s track work this week as she and several other starters look to improve their chances of making the Melbourne Cup field.

"The aim is to get her to do well and move up the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup,” said assistant trainer Edward Cummings.

“Providing everything goes well in the Tattersalls we will certainly look to Melbourne."

The $100,000 Listed City Tattersalls Lightning Handicap (1100m) has attracted a full field of 14 horses with three emergencies.

It has special significance for racing enthusiasts as the legendary Shogun Lodge carried 61kg to win the event in 2003 - the last race the great warrior ever won.

Con Karakatsanis’ News Alert will do battle with Tim Martin’s Teasing, Danny Williams’ Wasted Emotions and Allan Denham’s impressive Youthful Jack.

All eyes will be on Waterhouse’s super sprinter Shadow Assassin as he tries to emulate the feats of Northern Meteor by winning the $100,000 Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) on Saturday and then the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day at Flemington.

Shadow Assassin will be challenged by stable mate Modonna, Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes’ Love Conquers All and Graeme Rogerson’s Fitness Fanatic.

AJC track manager Dave Hodgson said the track was currently a Dead 4 and was likely to improve to a Good 3 by Saturday, weather permitting.

City Tattersalls Club Cup day is day the whole family can enjoy.  Entry fee is $20 for adults and free for children under 18 when accompanied by an adult.

The Rose Garden Lawn will be transformed into a kid’s wonderland with pony rides, a carousel, tsunami slide, face painting and more from 11.00am. Nick Junior’s Dora the Explorer will be at Randwick for a kids meet and greet between midday and 3pm.

There are also heaps of prizes to be won at The Daily Telegraph Kids Fashions on the Field.  Categories are best dressed boy and girl under 13.  Registration will be from 11.00am until midday.

AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: Rod Allen 0419 692 856