| 10-09-2010 |
Danielle Gardiner with 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, an entrant in the Makybe Diva Stakes. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun
FLEMINGTON specialists Shocking and Vigor have won eight races at headquarters between them, but their trainers have reservations about that tally being added to on Saturday. The pair line up in the Makybe Diva Stakes as part of their build-up for the Caulfield and Melbourne cups. Vigor won his fifth Flemington race in this event last year, but his trainer Danny O'Brien has warned he is not as forward this year. "We had to have him up and going to make sure he qualified for the Caulfield Cup last year," O'Brien said. "We can afford to be a bit more conservative with him this year and give him the proper campaign. When you look at Bart Cummings' Cup horses, they all improve through their preparations. "We have left nice gradual improvement and he will be at his best on Caulfield Cup Day, so he's just a bit behind the condition he was in when he won this race last year."Having said that, I'll be disappointed if he doesn't run super, but it will be a pleasant surprise if he can win."
Mark Kavanagh isn't expecting any miracles, and anticipates Shocking's unbeaten Flemington record to fall today. Last year's Melbourne Cup winner turned in a pleasing first-up seventh in the Liston Stakes last month but is seeking further, according to his trainer. "He loves Flemington and his record over a mile in easier races is okay, but he has no weight-for-age form," Kavanagh said."We expect him to run well, but the likely scenario is that it's still going to be another race or two before he's ready to win again." Shocking has been asked to carry an additional 6kg in his quest for repeat Melbourne Cup wins, but the trainer isn't quibbling over the assessment. "The truth is I'm proud to have a horse in the race with 57kg," Kavanagh said. "You can't expect to win a Melbourne Cup and a Lexus and get in under the handicapper's guard." While Shocking is certain to race on Saturday, Kavanagh is resigned to scratching his promising up-and-comers Shrapnel and We're Gonna Rock if the track comes up heavy. "It's doubtful they will run and we will have to wait another day," he said. Kavanagh's Cup team suffered a blow yesterday, with Shamoline Warrior ruled out for the spring with a mild torn ligament. O'Brien is also looking forward to the return of Master O'Reilly in the Makybe Diva. "He ran super when third in this race first up last year, and he seems to have come up well again," O'Brien said. "He's on his fourth Caulfield and Melbourne cups campaign. Not many horses can do that, and every time he's been competitive. He's never finished further back than eighth in any of those runs." The trainer is on weather watch with his Blue Diamond winner Star Witness. "He will be much better on top of the ground, and we would look at scratching if it became severely rain-affected," he said. "It would put a spanner in the works with his Guineas preparation, but we also have the option of keeping him fresh for Cup week."
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