Godolphin is banking on a gear change to help unlock the potential of stakes placegetter Dipsy Doodle when the headstrong filly resumes at Randwick.
The daughter of Lonhro has won two of her seven starts and split Hip Hip Hurrah and the ill-fated Miracle Of Love in the 2023 Listed Woodlands Stakes at Scone.
But assistant trainer Darren Beadman believes she has more ability than has been evident to date.
“She has been her own worst enemy,” Beadman said.
“When she ran first-up over 1200 metres last campaign and Zac (Lloyd) rode her, he was just a passenger. She took control of him.
“She went at a blistering speed and was vulnerable late and it wasn’t a bad horse (Our Kobison) that beat her that day – it went on to hold his own in Saturday class.”
Dipsy Doodle again wanted to tug for rein in her most recent trial with James Mcdonald in the saddle.
The Godolphin team has responded by fitting her with a tongue tie and Beadman expects the gear adjustment to have an impact when she tackles the TAB Handicap (1000m) first-up on Saturday.
“She was a little bit out of control with ‘J Mac’ (McDonald) the other day without the tongue tie, but I think with the tongue tie she will be more tractable,” Beadman said.
“If she can get that first 600 metres right, she has got a lot of upside.”
McDonald will stick with the filly, who is one of four Godolphin rides for the leading hoop.
He will also team with them in the afternoon’s feature when he partners Tamerlane in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m).
The gelding wasn’t disgraced when midfield and just over three lengths from Coastwatch first-up at Scone and has had a subsequent barrier trial to maintain his fitness.
However, with 59.5kg, Tamerlane will have to set a modern-day weight-carrying record to win.
Mic Mac and Ninth Legion, who both carted 59kg in 2013 and 2016 respectively, and Hadaaf who had 58kg in 2009, are the only horses to lump similar imposts to Civic Stakes victories in the past 20 years.
