MORPHETTVILLE PREVIEW July 11, 2009 DEQUETTEVILLE STAKES (2YOS, 1100M) Race 4, 1.53pm (Adelaide time) The Listed Sportingbet Dequetteville Stakes, a set weights contest for 2YO fillies, is a race steeped in history. It is one of Australia’s early feature races for juveniles – the first winner was the black filly Competency in 1890. The Dequetteville once was a race for both sexes, run over the scamper distance of 800m, and it was run in the spring. It has been a race for fillies only since 1925, and it was moved to July in 2002 (won by Niagara Falls). This year’s Dequetteville has attracted only nine acceptors, but it is a race that should have significance when we get to some of the important races for fillies in the spring. The pre-post favourite I’m Discreet is attempting to break a family hoodoo in the Dequetteville. Her half-sister Very Discreet finished second behind Impressive Eagle in last year’s race. Another close relation, Be Discreet (Euclase-Halo Again), ran second in the 1996 Dequetteville, behind Tendrils. She went on to win eight of her next 12 starts before her untimely death as a 4YO in 1998. I’m Discreet, a daughter of Elusive Quality, is out of Be Discreet’s sister She’s Discreet, who won four of her eight starts, including the 1999 Group 3 Dermody Stakes (1000m) at Cheltenham. This is a fast family and this is a race for fast fillies. I’m Discreet is unbeaten in two starts. Her debut win by six lengths was over the Morphettville straight 1000m course on June 9, when she raced outside the leader. She followed that with a come-from-behind win on
Morphettville’s new inside track (1000m) on June 27 – she raced to the line strongly, which suggests the extra 100m won’t worry her. I expect I’m Discreet to either lead or sit behind the Patinack Farm-owned Dawned, who is racing in her third state in four starts. Lee Freedman’s Tariks is resuming but her form reads well for a race like this. Freedman has been dominant in juvenile Stakes races in Adelaide this season, and Tariks was twice second at Stakes level before her break. The filly led when second to stablemate Come Hither in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Jan. 17, and then came from fourth to be beaten a head by Pergram in the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes (1000m) at Cheltenham on Feb. 14. Dwayne Dunn comes across to ride this wellbred filly. She should be able to slot in with cover behind the speed if she follows the speedy Optimizing across the field from her outside gate. Optimizing is an interesting runner for David Hayes. He thought enough of her to tackle the Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie (NZ) in January, after the filly had won a 1000m scamper at Morphettville on Dec. 20. Optimizing had no luck finishing 7th behind The Heckler in New Zealand. Astute trainer Peter Moody has won this race twice – Causeway Lass (2006) and Niagara Falls in 2003. His decision to run first starter Speedy Natalie should be respected. The filly also is entered for the Inglis Bonus 2YO (1200m) at Sandown on Saturday. The tips: I’m Discreet from Tariks, Optimizing, Speedy Natalie and Dawned.
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Predicted positions on settling
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AND ALSO Tomorrow is a ‘tread warily’ day at Sandown Lakeside, and not just for the jumpers in the first two races. Punters should have put up their own warning signs when early track forecasts suggested a heavy 8 or 9 for the transferred Moonee Valley meeting. Last week at Flemington it was a dead 4 and there have been heavy frosts since, but it is amazing what a downgrade there is when going from one side of town to the other. Bog, slush or just plain winter going, Craig Williams remains the man for those who need to have a punt. With Ollie soaking up some sun and surf until next week, CW will be desperate to draw a win or two clear in the premiership race and, according to early markets, he has six of the best chances on the flat, spread across five strong stables. He’ll be short in the Jockeys’ Challenge, if you want to try that option, but the value should be in finding his best ride(s) and doubling it (them) up with the others. Darley’s Denman (R3) looks the obvious one, but I prefer Red Buttons (R7) for Mick Kent – Williams sticks after finishing second to Pacino last time (June 27), and the winner was ultra impressive at Flemington last week ... and he’s not there tomorrow. Swift Bay, Soul Diva, Silky Smooth and Ma Shang complete a strong book. If you want to go wider than Williams to get more money, have an eachway nibble at Mo’ Money (R3) – his first-up third to Denman on June 27 was good. Stephen Howell