THEY may have butted heads over More Joyous's autumn targets, but John Singleton proved to Gai Waterhouse that he does not need the horse to win the AJC Oaks.
The millionaire advertising king believes and successfully argued with Waterhouse that More Joyous, despite being from one of the best staying families in the Australian Studbook, is better suited in the $1.5 million Doncaster Mile - keeping Once Were Wild as his AJC Oaks contender.
And the lightly raced three-year-old proved she was worthy of a start in the $350,000 Group One Oaks after destroying her rivals in most impressive fashion.
"She is just too strong, she is just so fabulous," Waterhouse said of Once Were Wild (pictured winning yesterday).
"She just keeps breaking their hearts and is just as honest as the day is long.
"She is a no-frills horse, she gets the job done, professionalism down to her tippy-toes.
Got Oaks written all over her."
Once Were Wild, who improved her record to five wins from six starts, will now be tested in the Group One Storm Queen Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on Golden Slipper day before tackling the Oaks.
Minutes after Once Were Wild gapped her rivals, Waterhouse was hauled before stewards and questioned as to why she had not alerted authorities about More Joyous' injury scare, which was revealed by The Daily Telegraph. "We just wanted Gai to know that if she sends a horse to the Randwick Equine Centre that she lets us know," chief steward Ray Murrihy said.
"She said the horse is back in full work and sound so there is nothing to worry about."
Waterhouse recorded a double at Canterbury, her fifth metropolitan victory for the week, after Herculian Prince led throughout.
TAB Sportsbet yesterday confirmed that all bets placed on the washed-out Australian Cup and Crown Guineas will stand because they were races on which All In markets were offered and are being run within seven days of the originally scheduled date. But punters also have the option of cancelling their bets and receiving a refund on the Australian Cup.
RACE fans have the opportunity to win members' tickets at Randwick on Saturday to see Daily Telegraph Punters Club favourite Brightexpectations competing for a spot in the Golden Slipper. They'll watch the race from the owners' enclosure and meet Gai Waterhouse before the race.
Punter's Club members click here
Non Punters Club members click here
