The John Sadler stable has flagged a change of tactics for Dubawi Gold at Flemington on Saturday after his first-up failure at Caulfield late last month.
Malua Racing spokesman Troy Corstens said the stable couldn’t find an excuse for the Dubawi gelding after he settled back and finished 12th, beaten 5-1/2 lengths, to General Truce over 1000m at Caulfield on May 28.
“He was very disappointing. We thought he would at least finish five or so lengths closer,” Corstens said.
“We were very despondent with that run, but on Saturday we are going to ride him differently. We are going to go forward and hopefully that’s the key to Dubawi Gold.”
Dubawi Gold has drawn barrier one in the Brian Beattie Hcp (1200m) for three-year-olds which has attracted a 14-horse field and Danny Nikolic will take the ride replacing apprentice Kate Mallyon.
“If he was to put in another run like he did first-up we’d really be scratching our heads, but we do think he’ll run much better than he did first-up,” Corstens said.
Dubawi Gold has raced four times and won his first two starts, an 1100m maiden at Ballarat and a 1200m three-year-old 0-68 Hcp at Sandown last December-January.
He was spelled after running second to subsequent Group Two D’Urban Stakes winner Dusty Star over 1400m at Flemington on January 15.
Meanwhile, Prizum will have his first start for Sadler in the $100,000 David Bourke Provincial Plate (1620m).
Formerly with the Greg Eurell stable, Prizum has won two of 16 starts, over 1218 at Geelong and 2050m at Moe, and hasn’t raced since finishing fourth to Geejayhaitch over 2100m at Sandown on May 18.
“He’s a lovely horse, a good horse to do anything with around the stable and we were lucky enough to get a chance with him,” Corstens said.
“We’re learning about him and we thought this was a nice race to gauge where he’s at.
“His trackwork has been excellent.”
Stephen Baster takes the mount on the Umatilla four-year-old who drew barrier 12 and will race without blinkers on Saturday.
AAP TURF
