A GATTING BOILOVER. CLARK CONQUERS FLEMINGTON. BIVOUAC 'DONKEY LICKS' THE OPPOSITION

By Scott Gooley | Monday, September 16, 2019

GATTING HITS PUNTERS FOR A SIX

Punters were left stunned at Flemington on Saturday when Gatting, who was 100/1, defied the challenge of short-priced favourite and popular galloper, Mystic Journey, in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

Both gallopers enjoyed a perfect run in transit but when Mystic Journey peeled off Gatting’s back at the top of the Flemington straight, most watching thought the result would now be a foregone conclusion however, the Western Australian galloper, a six-year-old gelding by Hard Spun, refused to surrender his three-quarter length lead.

“I’ve always had a lot of faith in the horse,” Trainer Darren Mcauliffe said after the victory.

“He didn’t have things go his way first-up,” Mcauliffle said, explaining Gatting’s most recent start where he finished last of five runners in the Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes at Belmont.

Macauliffe also suggested the huge starting price about Gatting was overinflated. “He’s got form around Arcadia Queen who we saw in Sydney and I think we’ve raced Scales Of Justice a couple of times and beaten him home each time.”

Gatting is nominated for next month’s Cox Plate and Mcauliffe is planning another two runs ahead of the of the race on October 26.

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A RAQUEL CLARK FIRST AT FLEMINGTON

It was also a big day for South Australian Jockey Raquel Clark who, having her first ride on the Flemington track, steered promising Dalasan to victory in the Danehill Stakes.

“Walking the track before proved to be golden.” Clark declared after the race.

“I wanted to get a good grounding and get my bearings to know when to push his buttons and where everyone else was going to go for that matter.”

It was the fourth victory from five starts for Dalasan, with Clark having been aboard for each win.

Trainer Leon McDonald said Dalasan would return to his Morphettville stables in readiness for the shot at the Caulfield Guineas.

“He was a bit lost up the straight but he overcame that and I’m sure it’s onwards and upwards from here as he’ll get better with a bit of racing.”

Dalasan heads betting for the Caulfield Guineas at $5.50 in advance of Bivouac and Exceedence.

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BIVOUAC BOUNCES BACK

Bivouac and Exceedence faced off in Saturday’s Run To The Rose where the combination of a firmer surface and having blinkers removed saw Bivouac turn the tables on Exceedance, who had posted a commanding victory in the San Domenico Stakes when the pair met a fortnight earlier.

“He’s a very high energy horse,” successful jockey Josh Parr said after the race.

“We know he can go fast and he’s done it today without the blinkers and he’s absolutely donkey-licked a very classy field of horse.”

Second to Bivouc was Chris Waller’s Yes Yes Yes who, at his first run back this spring, impressed his trainer with his effort.

“I was very happy with him, especially the way he dug deep the last 50m,” Waller said.

“The winner and the third horse (Exceedance) had both had runs this prep and our horse hadn’t. I think he’ll be the big improver and I’m very happy with him heading towards the Golden Rose.”

Waller won the Golden Rose last year with The Autumn Sun and again in 2013 with Zoustar.