Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott opened the new racing season with a win when Steel Strike took out the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The speedy front-runner Felix Majestic relished the firmer track, setting a fast pace and building a four-length buffer over his rivals, including Steel Strike.
Veteran jockey Tim Clark conserved energy on Steel Strike, and the pair needed almost the entire Rosehill straight to chase down the courageous Felix Majestic in a thrilling finish.
“It was a great set-up for him today,” Bott explained. “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 ($8), owned by Scott Darby’s syndication business Darby Racing, managed to collar the very game Felix Majestic ($12) right on the line, winning by a half neck. Silvanito ($11) finished a half length further back in third.
The $2.70 favourite, Tarzing, was under pressure well before the turn and only laboured to finish sixth.
Clark celebrated his birthday with a winning double, following his earlier victory on Funshow, sharing riding honours with Zac Lloyd.
Steel Strike, a five-year-old by Exceedance, was having his 10th career start and secured his second 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 wrapped up 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 had 183 wins and accumulated nearly $18 million in stable earnings.
Their standout horse last season was Sir Delius, a triple Group 1 winner of the Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Sir Delius is being prepared for a spring campaign and impressed Bott with a strong second in his Randwick barrier trial on Friday, finishing behind Oh Diamond Lil, with Autumn Glow in third. Explore the best online bookmakers for your racing bets.