Jockey Dwayne Dunn has been called up to revive the fortunes of rising eight-year-old De Arias at Moonee Valley after breaking an 18-month drought on the gelding last campaign.
Dunn steered De Arias to a long overdue win at Caulfield on December 4 and will have his first ride on him this preparation in Saturday’s Leslie Short Hiskens Hcp (2040m).
He last rode De Arias when his campaign came to an end when finishing well back in the Listed Bagot Hcp (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
Co-trainers Jamie Edwards and Bruce Elkington were pleased with De Arias’ last-start fifth at the Valley on June 18 when he made up ground wide on the track.
“We couldn’t be happier with the horse,” Edwards said.
“He went well last start when ridden by Dean Holland and he goes well at the Valley so we expect him to run really well again.”
Edwards said a 2000-metre race at Caulfield in two weeks was his goal but a top-three finish wouldn’t surprise him on Saturday.
“I would prefer him fourth-up rather than third-up over 2040 metres on Saturday, but he is down in the weights, has Dwayne Dunn on board, and has drawn a gate (barrier one) so he has plenty of ticks in the boxes,” Edwards said.
De Arias has won eight of 59 starts, including the Country Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley in June 2009.
He finished third in the Kyneton Cup last November before weaving a passage through the field to score at Caulfield.
Despite running home well when second-up last start at the Valley, he is at $23 with TAB Sportsbet on Saturday.
Last-start Sandown winner Pass Me By ($4.60) and Dance With Her ($4.80), who has won her last three starts including two at Moonee Valley, are contesting favouritism.
AAP TURF