Gai's Lad Silences Critics February 18, 2001 By RAY THOMAS FORGOTTEN star Assertive Lad had a timely retort for critics with his stirring comeback win at Randwick yesterday. Trainer Gai Waterhouse had never lost faith in the dual Group I winner, but was surprised how many were prepared to write him off. "I couldn't believe the knockers, people have such short memories," Waterhouse said. "This is Assertive Lad, the same horse who was the champion juvenile last season. "I know he's been out a while, but he hadn't lost a leg or anything." Assertive Lad beat a quality field of three-year-olds in the Group II $150,000 Qantas Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m). After easing to 8/1, late backing saw Assertive Lad firm to 5/1 before a comprehensive half-length win from Continuum (30/1), with three-quarters of a length to Century Kid (7/1) third. Favourite and early leader Pastime (5/4) over-raced but still fought on well, clinging to fourth. But the sky seems to be the limit for Assertive Lad this campaign, particularly as yesterday's race was his first for six months. "He injured a knee at Canterbury last August and then we had a few problems with his feet," Waterhouse said. "I wanted to have him back racing earlier but we didn't want to push the horse too far too soon. "I always knew he would make it back, it was just a matter of when." Waterhouse then said she was toying with the idea of stretching Assertive Lad's brilliance to the classic distance of 2400m in the Group I $2 million AJC Australian Derby at Randwick in April. "It's either the Derby or the Doncaster (Handicap) � I'm not sure which race but he'll be back here on Easter Saturday," she said. "Look, I think he will stay, he's the type of horse you can train to do anything. "Obviously the Doncaster is a great race for him too. I'm not locking myself into a set program. I'll let Assertive Lad tell me which way to go. "He'll follow the traditional three-year-old path of races like the Hobartville Stakes and Canterbury Guineas. Once he gets over a bit of distance, then we'll know whether he's a Derby or a Doncaster horse." Assertive Lad won the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes, Champagne Stakes and Magic Millions during his two-year-old season and yesterday's win was conclusive proof he's back to his best, according to jockey Chris Munce. "I've got to tell you he was going to win easily, by a big margin, when he hit the front in the straight," Munce said. "But he tends to `idle' down when he goes to the lead, he waits for the other horses. "He only does what he has to do." Assertive Lad clocked 1min 9.91sec for the 1200m, an exceptional performance given the track was rain affected.

Sunday Telegraph 18-02-2001

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