Native Diver Stakes – Grade III
DMR Race #4 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Three Year three-year-olds and Upward.

1 Happy Brave The Sidley Stud Rispoli U 121 —

As the season winds up we can reflect on what a huge season this stable has had. The Sidley Stud has always been a tough competitor, and many good horses have passed through the yard, but this year it really seems they have crossed over into the big time. This three-year-old is another chance in another graded race, although, like many, his form is a difficult read. Early in the year, when he ran a fine third in the Holy Bull, he looked a decent KYD prospect, but then came three ordinary runs through to the Peter Pan, and he quickly faded into the background. A three year old working 1.36 and 1 for the mile and 1.10 and 2 for the six furlongs should not be winless for the year, and yet ten races i,n he still hasn’t added to his two juvenile wins. That is the mystery that surrounds work times recentl,y and it seems more and more we have to look at what they have done on the race track as a proper guide to their ability. On that third in the Holy Bull he certainly has the ability but it has been a long time since we have seen that sort of form, and it will take the stable magic to get him in the right mood for this.

2 Boogaloo Pablo Racing Inc Buick W T 124 —

The older horses are beginning to struggle against the three year olds now and though this battling six year old has a great draw to work with it is tough to see him going from a poor run at the fair track to a grade three winner.

3 Malediction Nakamura Stables Fresu A 121 —

The winner of three from six, including a game win in the Super Derby last time you can make a good case for this one starting the race as the favorite to win. Un-raced as a juvenile he was started out this year pretty steadily winning his maiden at LAD on his third start but since then has progressed nicely and is paying back the patience this top trainer has shown. An on pace sort he is suited to the small field and the race engine slant and could dominate this race.

4 Goodness Wood Racing Stable Valdivia J Jr 121 —

Another example of where we stand with the works engine versus the race engine as we see a 1.10 and 1 worker that was winning a maiden claimer two back and just scraped home in a 4 runner allowance last time. Bought at auction for just $2.020 he has progressed well with his new owner and if that work is anything to go on will be right in this race.

5 Sweet Caviar Asgar Smith M E 121 —

A classy gelding he took the big ticket Kings Plate two back and ran better than his finishing position suggests in the Goodwood last time putting him very near the top of the pile for this race. A deep closer he may not find the pace in this small field to launch his big finish and that is my biggest worry because on form he could win.

6 No More Rattle Bigchief Stables Hernandez J J 124 —

This evergreen six year old has been a bit inconsistent recently, but that is how he rolls, its either sublime or ordinary and we wont know which until they pass the post. The winner of the grade one SA Handicap back in March which would be good enough to win this but he hasn’t broke top four since and will have to bring that form to win today from the wide gate. Another closer so may not be suited by the small field.

SUMMARY

Probably the best two horses in this race are No More Rattle and Sweet Caviar but both are drawn wide and both are closers. That means they will go back in a race without a whole lot of pace and that could spell trouble. Having said that, with this race engine. we could see an inexplicable speed battle a 22 second opening quarter and these two swooping late, you just can never tell, so I wouldn’t be saying they had no chance. The likelihood though is that a leader or a stalker will win and that could hand it to Malediction.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES