The major fancies in Saturday’s 2020 AAMI Dequetteville Stakes at Morphettville have one thing in common: speed.
The top three in early TAB markets for the $100,000 Listed 2YO event over 1050m have already shown impressive hustle in their young careers so far.
After leading throughout at Bendigo at her racetrack debut, likely favourite Maha was up on the pace again at Moonee Valley over 1000m on March 13 when keeping her perfect record intact. The promising Tony & Calvin McEvoy runner has drawn well in barrier three and might get the most economical run of those at the top of the market.
Hayes, Hayes & Dabernig runner Bella Nipotina raced wide in a $250,000 race at Bendigo and fought on extremely well to finish second. The possibility of a rain-affected track holds no fears for Bella Nipotina, which finished runner-up on a heavy track in the $2 million Inglis Millennium at Warwick Farm on February 12.
Hard Rock Girl has already tasted success at Morphettville, taking out the Cinderella Stakes on February 29 after – you guessed it – leading throughout. The Byron Cozamanis runner has drawn barrier nine for Paul Gatt, meaning the first 200m could be something of a mad dash.
James Cummings’ Geist finished third in a Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield, then was a well-beaten fourth behind Minhaaj down the Flemington straight – but didn’t race on the pace, like his main rivals in Saturday’s market.
Murray Bridge trainer Mick Huxtable might have a good each-way chance with Ecumenical, which endured a wide run at Morphettville Parks over 1000m last weekend, but is much better drawn this time, and could get a good spot off the pace.
Other runners include Anthony Freedman-trained Daisy Cakes, which finished a solid second over 1000m recently, and the McEvoy stable’s other runner, Zoushine, which ran well at her only race start when second to Ecumenical last month.
A win by Zoushine or Maha would be the second Dequetteville Stakes success for trainer Tony McEvoy, who had success with Presumed Innocent in 2001. Presumed Innocent was ridden by Paul Gatt, who is riding Hard Rock Girl on Saturday for Byron Cozamanis.
Jockey Jason Holder is chasing his second Dequetteville after winning in 1992.
The Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig team won the race in 2018 with the talented Fundamentalist, while Huxtable won in 1999 with Dallaeni.
Selections:
- Bella Nipotina; 2. Maha; 3. Hard Rock Girl; 4. Ecumenical.
