Brown Aims Exceedingly High

23 February 2008

SOUTH Australian jockey Dwayne Dunn will be out to continue a remarkable streak on Reaan today when he chases a fourth consecutive Blue Diamond win at Caulfield. Not bad for a $1 million group 1 sprint, and it's worth about $30,000 every time in wages.

"In a race like the Blue Diamond you have to do it on a different horse every year," Dunn told The Age. "It's not like being on Makybe Diva."

While he has had the support of trainer David Hayes, the most successful Blue Diamond trainer with four wins, Dunn has hardly achieved his feat on strong fancies. In 2005 he scored on Undoubtedly ($26) for Mark Kavanagh while the past two under the Hayes banner were Nadeem ($17) and Sleek Chassis ($8). At $13 Reaan is in keeping with them.

"I picked Reaan in the early spring and he's done nothing to make me believe he won't be very hard to beat," the jockey said. Two wins out of three attempts is the plus with Reaan, but his downside is the suspect times he recorded. Also, he is in gate nine (with the withdrawal of Chilean Miss), usually not an advantage from the 1200-metre start. Still, Dunn got home on Sleek Chassis from the same barrier, and Nadeem had 12. Significantly, the previous six winners commenced inside seven.

While Reaan hasn't raced beyond 1000m the colt is the second-top-rated two-year-old so far this season with Racenet Ratings. Sydney colt Sebring, not engaged today, is No.1.

Apart from Reaan, Hayes has a strong team with All American, Hips Don't Lie and Pachanga. Major rival Lee Freedman has fewer but on yesterday's prices has a better chance, with the benefit of better launching pads: Exceedingly Good (one), Wilander (four) and Okaylah (three).

Wilander was favourite, around $5 yesterday, due to his all-the-way decision over Exceedingly Good over the Caulfield 1100m on February 9. Exceedingly Good was resuming and will be fitter. Wilander had a soft lead but will get more pressure at this level. While recent Blue Diamonds have gone to those with a big finish, Exceedingly Good, with Corey Brown up, could get a sweet run just off the pace. Brown, though, has an unenviable Caulfield record this season. Since April 1, he has kicked home only three winners, two on the same horse, Here De Angels, from 76 attempts. But Exceedingly Good is still high on a long list of chances including Reaan, Okaylah and Marveen.

VERDICT: Brown to ride an Exceedingly Good race.

ON THE SCENT: Trainer Mark Kavanagh remains positive about Maldivian in the St George Stakes at Caulfield. Last start Maldivian ended up only 13th in the 1400m Orr Stakes at Caulfield on February 9 behind many with which he clashes again today. "He was in a race he couldn't win," Kavanagh said, referring to Maldivian being second-up over 1400m.

But should he have done more? Certainly the 1800m today is to his liking but at $3.40 yesterday he was too short. Every Orr Stakes runner had just as much scope for improvement as Maldivian, while the New Zealander Princess Coup was a most unlucky half-length fourth.

Rubiscent has eye-catching Caulfield credentials, including third place in the Orr when resuming. Second-up he has won twice from three campaigns and has the tactical speed to take up a good place.

VERDICT: Never wipe a good horse for one bad run but the odds appeal about Rubiscent.

RAILS RUN: Perhaps Weekend Hussler was so short in the betting - $2.25 yesterday - for the Oakleigh Plate because it has been such a happy hunting ground for three-year-olds. And with 53kg the gelding, successful at five out of seven, isn't harshly treated. Yet the depth of the three-year-olds in Melbourne in the spring could be suspect. Other queries are that it is his first attempt at 1100m and he has the 10 gate. Maybe it will be argued wide barriers aren't as relevant in the Oakleigh Plate but ticks are required in all boxes when short odds are on offer.

The talented Bon Hoffa, with eight wins from 15 starts, is another returning after a spell. But he begins from two, which could cramp his style because he likes space. Bon Hoffa scored first-up last preparation and, on the corresponding day last year, was second to Apache Cat.

Note the course and distance efforts of La Chasseuse. From five Caulfield starts she has two wins and two placings; her distance record reads five attempts for two kills and three placings. Yes, she is up in class but La Chasseuse has the rails barrier and the tactical speed to use it.

VERDICT: The $31 yesterday about La Chasseuse will do me.

CERISE INVASION: The cerise of Woodlands Stud is chasing a double at Canterbury - in the best and worst races on the program.

The benefit of a start this campaign could give Paratroopers an edge in the $200,000 Expressway Stakes over Racing To Win, said to be "rusty" by trainer John O'Shea after a long break. Yet he has been oiled by a recent barrier trial and an exhibition gallop. At their best Racing To Win is superior but the way the race should be run could suit Paratroopers.

Stablemate Penhaligon, a $700,000 yearling purchase, makes her debut in the $25,000 Heaton Maiden and the filly has looked promising. So much so that 12 months ago she was backed to win the Blue Diamond at Caulfield. Support is expected for Rockwood and the first starter Monkeys, trained by Tim Martin. Monkeys will have blinkers to switch him on after a recent lacklustre barrier trial and Martin likes tilting at the tall poppies.

VERDICT: Penhaligon all-up the classy Paratroopers.


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