Makybe Diva’s first daughter La Dolce Diva has launched her racing career in unspectacular fashion at Geelong.
The Fusaichi Pegasus filly, trained by Mark Kavanagh, cost $1.2 million as a yearling but could only finish seventh of the nine runners in the first division of Thursday’s Geelong Cup Packages Maiden Plate (1200m).
La Dolce Diva is the second foal from Makybe Diva and is a half-sister to $1.5 million Galileo colt Rockstardom who, trained by Danny O’Brien, is winless after seven starts.
Kavanagh’s son Levi, who saddled La Dolce Diva at Geelong, said the day was about giving her race experience while jockey Michael Rodd described her as “a work in progress”.
“She is a long way off,” Rodd said.
“She is a nice type and moves well but she is still only a two-year-old and is going to need time.”
Kavanagh said La Dolce Diva was bred to stay and would “flourish” next campaign.
“Today was just about getting her to the races, getting out of the gates, and racing in a big field,” Kavanagh said.
“She has shown us good ability and has been finishing off quite well in jumpouts but there is more pressure in a race.
“She was a lot quicker out of the gates than she has been in jumpouts and is coming along well.”
He said La Dolce Diva, who is part-owned by Tony Santic’s Makybe Racing and Breeding syndicate, would have another run before a short let-up.
“She will have a freshen and come back for something in the spring,” Kavanagh said.
“I would say she will be nominated for a lot of different races but there are no plans until we give her a few more runs.”
AAP TURF
