Burpengary horseman Daren Garrard is confident of a forward showing with his classy mare Mathilda Diventa ahead of tomorrow night’s (Friday) Listed $25,000 QBRED Breeders Classic 4yo Mares Final at Albion Park.
And Garrard believes the timing is right.
On Sunday, the Redcliffe Yearling Sale will be staged for the ninth time, a sale that has proven to be quite a goldmine for the Garrard families in more ways than one.
This is the sale that the Garrard families are key sponsors and supporters while it’s also the same sale that produced Mathilda Diventa.
The Garrard families have won the Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series Final on two previous occasions with Couldntresist and Mathilda Diventa while they had the beaten favourite last season with Charlyse.
And they have several youngsters aiming at the series again this season.
Mathilda Diventa will start from the coveted inside gate while talented stablemates Bettor Promise (4) and Bettorthanspecial (10) face tricky draws for trainer Shannon Price.
“If you believe in that type of stuff then you could say the stars might be aligning for us, I’m just thrilled we finally landed a good draw and that the mare is back to her normal ways following that indifferent performance last time out.” Garrard said.
Mathilda Diventa failed at her most recent outing when a lacklustre 6th at Redcliffe as an odds-on favourite on February 25.
It was the first time the mare has been beaten at the Redcliffe circuit.
Garrard has gone back to the drawing board in an attempt to resurrect her in time for the Breeders Classic and he’s confident she’s close to her best again.
“That performance caught us all by surprise, her work leading into that race was normal but it was a very warm day and maybe she was in season or feeling similar type effects because she’s been really good in her work since so it’s a bit of a mystery.
“I’ve kept her fresh for this race but I’ve given her two recent trials at Albion Park against the open class performers and she’s performed really well. She ran second beaten a head margin behind Mind The Wire in 1:55.4 before running 4th behind Major Coup and Destreos in 1:56.6 at her second trial about ten days ago.
“Both trials were sharp and Mathew (Neilson – driver) said she felt really well in both trials and her work since has been really pleasing. The inside draw gives Mathew plenty of options and hopefully we can make the most of it, the Price mares are clearly the horses to beat but I’m confident we can push them.”
Mathilda Diventa is raced by Daren Garrard and his father Chris plus Brisbane race caller Steve Hawkins also shares in the ownership.
The QBRED Breeders Classic 4yo Mares Final is scheduled as race 5 at 7.24pm.
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