Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott commenced the new racing season with a victory as Steel Strike secured the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The speedy front-runner, Felix Majestic, relished the firmer track conditions, setting a blistering pace and establishing a four-length lead over his closest pursuers, including Steel Strike.
Top jockey Tim Clark maintained his composure aboard Steel Strike, but it required the entire length of the Rosehill straight to run down the determined Felix Majestic in a captivating finish.
“It was a great set-up for him today,” Bott commented. “Tim wanted to be aggressive early and put himself into the picture.”
“We thought it would be a truly run race and I think he enjoyed having something to chase. He was usually the one creating the pace last preparation and that left him vulnerable late but it all fell into place for him today.”
Steel Strike, a $8 chance and raced by Scott Darby’s syndication firm Darby Racing, only managed to collar the very game Felix Majestic ($12) in the shadows of the post, winning by a half neck. Silvanito ($11) finished a further half length back in third.
The $2.70 favourite, Tarzing, was under pressure significantly before the turn and struggled to finish sixth.
Clark, celebrating his birthday, achieved a riding double following his earlier win on Funshow, sharing riding honours for the day with Zac Lloyd.
Steel Strike, a five-year-old son of Exceedance, was competing in only his 10th career start and recorded his second career win.
“I think this horse will be a very good buy for Darby Racing,” Bott stated. “The plan is to just take Steel Strike through his grades and potentially get him out to 1600m.”
Waterhouse and Bott concluded the 2025/26 season with 132 victories across all tracks, including 69 metropolitan wins, placing them second in the Sydney premiership behind Chris Waller, who amassed 183 wins and nearly $18 million in stable earnings.
Their standout performer last season was Sir Delius, a triple Group 1 victor claiming the Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Sir Delius is currently being prepared for a spring campaign and impressed Bott with a strong second behind Oh Diamond Lil (with Autumn Glow in third) in his Randwick barrier trial on Friday. You can explore the latest Australian betting sites to wager on upcoming races.
