The Rupert Clarke Stakes emerged as a Group One target for Dubleanny later this year after the mare notched successive stakes wins from her past two starts.
Trainer Mick Price said the four-year-old would go for a spell to be prepared for the spring following her fighting win in Saturday’s Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington.
It was the mare’s sixth win from seven starts down the Flemington straight but Price said that record might just be “one of those quirky things”.
Dubleanny has won nine of her 16 starts overall and was runner-up to Set For Fame in the Group Two Caulfield Sprint (1100m) last spring.
Dubleanny ($2.05 fav) completed a hat-trick of 1200m wins on Saturday having won at Flemington on Anzac Day before taking out the Listed Proud Miss Stakes at Morphettville earlier this month.
She won the Listed A R Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on a heavy track in June last year.
Ridden by Craig Newitt, Dubleanny held off a strong late challenge from Perturbo ($6.50) to score by a half-head with Rocky Times ($41) a length away third.
“Another black type win for her. I was going to take her to Brisbane for the Winter Stakes but she is not a very good traveller. I wanted to take her to Adelaide for the Goodwood as well,” Price said.
“You have to look at races like the Rupert Clarke for your mares,” he added noting that a mare, Response, won the Caulfield 1400m feature last year.
Meanwhile West Australian apprentice Damian Lane broke through for his first winner in Victoria when he guided Annlea home in the K A Morrison Hcp (1600m) at Flemington.
Lane, 17, who claims two kilograms in town, was having his eighth ride since joining the Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra stable at Flemington for a three-month stint.
“For a kid who is only 17 he is a very good horseman and he has a good head on his shoulders,” Ellerton said.
“He’s been an excellent boarder. He’s living with me at the moment.
“He’s very mature for his age and a very hard worker.
“I think he has a very bright future. He has good poise and he doesn’t panic.”
Lane said he was enjoying his time in Melbourne.
“I’ve settled in well and I’m looking to stay for a while,” he said.
AAP TURF
