Fence run sees Mamma home at Flemington

Tony McEvoy has his eyes set on a Group One race with Don’t Doubt Mamma after her victory in a mares stakes race at Flemington.

Don’t Doubt Mamma will tackle the males after her pattern defying win in the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes on Saturday.

McEvoy is hoping a weight drop going into the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield next month will land the mare a Group One victory, enhancing her broodmare value.

Ridden by Dwayne Dunn, Don’t Doubt Mamma ($6.50) scored a short-half-head win from Thames Court ($8.50) with Manageress ($26) a long neck away third.

McEvoy said he went into Saturday’s race confident but with concerns over how the track was racing.

Dunn was forced to ride the mare closer to the pace than her usual pattern and then had to make ground on the fence.

“Dwayne didn’t have many other options and he showed great patience,” McEvoy said.

“She’s not very big and had 58 kilos on her back but he didn’t panic and trusted her.

“She’s a real pro that loves winning.

“I’ll talk to the owners but I’d be pretty confident getting her into a handicap and back in weight.

“She’s got the stats to win a race like the Toorak Handicap.”

Dunn said Don’t Doubt Mamma has a great turn of foot but was outsprinted early in the straight after racing closer to the pace.

And he said it wasn’t ideal having to go back inside horses.

“They ripped off the corner and left her flat-footed and it left me wondering where to go,” Dunn said.

“I think she’s better on top of the ground and drawing in the second half of the field where she can come down the outside.”