The Gai Waterhouse stable got one under the guard of punters at Canterbury on Wednesday with an eye-catching victory for talented filly Themis, a $160,000 Magic Millions purchase for Waterhouse and James Harron Bloodstock from the draft of Newgate Farm.
The neat bay daughter of Not a Single Doubt had failed to place in two previous runs in October and February when ridden up on the pace, but allowed to settle by Kerrin McEvoy, she looked an entirely different horse.
Themis travelled up three wide on the turn and charged to the line to win the 1100 metre maiden running away by a length and three-quarters.
“It was a very strong maiden,” said Waterhouse.
“I think she’s a Flight Stakes type, I’ve trained seven winners of the race and I think I know what to look for. I think she could be really special.
“We won’t jump her up too quickly in grade, although I know where I want to end up with her.”
Bred by Dr Edmund Bateman, Themis is the first living foal of Thebe, a winning half-sister by Galileo (IRE) to stakes-winner My Lady’s Chamber, who was second in the 2006 Group I AJC Flight Stakes won by the Gai Waterhouse trained Cheeky choice.
Thebe has been a regular partner at Newgate Farm for foundation sire Foxwedge, who was raced by Dr Bateman and his wife Belinda.
Newgate Farm sold a yearling colt by Foxwedge for the Bateman’s at Magic Millions this year for $85,000 and a weanling colt at the National Weanling Sale for $77,000.
Thebe is due to foal again to Foxwedge this spring.