Lightning Stakes favourite Deep Field is not the only horse out to maintain a winning streak at Flemington on Saturday.
The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Wawail is $2.20 favourite to make it five wins from as many starts in the Group Three Vanity while the Henry Dwyer-trained Lucky Liberty aims for four-straight in the CS Hayes Stakes.
Wawail forms part of a strong team of Lindsay Park fillies who could figure prominently in the first half of the program.
Two-year-old Stay With Me, a daughter of Miss Finland, makes her debut in the Talindert Stakes and three-year-old Tawteen is favourite for the Indian Summer Handicap (1000m).
Wawail resumed with a tough win over 1100m at Flemington this month.
Dabernig was impressed with Wawail’s first-up win and believes she is the horse to beat despite her wide gate.
“She got challenged and almost headed first-up and fought back so I think she’s going to be much better suited around the bend and at the tempo of a 1400-metre race,” Dabernig said.
“It’s a competitive race, there’s a few in there that aren’t going to be easy to beat, but she’s a really good filly and I believe she’s a deserved favourite.”
Hayes had considered the Lightning Stakes for Tawteen with a view to a possible trip to Dubai but shelved those plans.
She instead runs in a fillies and mares’ benchmark 90 (1000m).
Stephen Baster has ridden Tawteen to her five wins but claiming apprentice Jye McNeil has been called on to take 2kg off the filly’s 59.5kg.
“That’s the only little question mark, the change of rider, but she’s pretty straight forward,” Dabernig said.
“She sits right on the pace and she kicks off a high cruising speed.”
Five-time Group One winner Miss Finland won the Talindert at her second start and Stay With Me has been well supported.
“We’ll learn a bit more after tomorrow but she looks a nice filly,” Dabernig said.
