Former Hong Kong galloper Dibayani could make a sooner-than-expected Australian debut in the Aurie’s Star Handicap.
The six-year-old will be nominated for Saturday’s Group Three sprint over the straight 1200 metres at Flemington.
Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig said the gelding was yet to race at shorter than 1400m and the original plan was to start him first-up in the P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 15.
But the son of Shamardal has been trialling well in recent weeks at Flemington and his win in an 800m jump-out up the straight on Friday had brought the earlier race into play.
“We were thinking of running him first-up in the P B Lawrence, but he went so well in his trial down the straight on Friday,” Dabernig said.
“So we’re going to nominate for the Aurie’s Star and have a look at it.
“He’s never run shorter than 1400 metres so it’s a bit of a gamble.
“He’s jumping out of his skin at the moment.
“We’ll look at the nominations, look at the weights and make a decision during the week.”
Dabernig said 1200m first-up would be a good lead-in to the Group One Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29.
Dibayani began his racing career in Ireland before making his way to the Hong Kong stable of Michael Chang.
The gelding was unsuccessful in six tries in Hong Kong but took on the best company, racing against the likes of Able Friend, Blazing Speed, Designs On Rome and Military Attack.
He suffered a bleeding attack last October at his last start in Hong Kong.
“He had some really good form over there behind Able Friend and the like,” Dabernig said.
“You never know with these Hong Kong horses how they’ll go, but I think he’s been really suited by the Australian way of training.”
