Perth trainer Darren Mcauliffe wasn’t surprised to see $101 outsider Gatting score an upset win over the short priced favourite Mystic Journey in the Group 1 $750,000 PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington today.
Gatting, above, scores a boilover win in the 2019 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Gatting was having his second run back from a spell today after failing to beat a runner home when fifth first up in Listed $100,000 Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont in Perth on August 31 which saw the six year old sent out as one of the roughies in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Punters who fancied Gatting were able to secure as much as $126 at Ladbrokes.com.au but the triple figure odds didn’t bother Mcauliffe.
“One hundred per cent,” Mcauliffe said about Gatting’s chances of winning today.
“He didn’t have things go his way first up. He has got form around horses like Arcadia Queen whom we just saw win in Sydney.”
“He is a good horse and Jamie rode him perfectly, followed the instructions to the letter and we got it right. So good.”
“He has a Group 1 now and that is fantastic.”
“I have a lot of faith in this horse. It is very rewarding.”
Gatting had performed well at Group 1 level during the 2018 – 2019 Perth Summer Carnival with a second to Galaxy Star in the Group 1 $1m Kirin Railway Stakes (1600m) and a fourth to Arcadia Queen in the Group 1 $1m Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot.
Winning jockey Jamie Kah pushed forward on Gatting from barrier eight and found the perfect spot in third position one off the fence behind the joint leaders Gailo Chop and Scales Of Justice.
Kah eased out into clear space shortly after heads were turned for home and Gatting was full of running and was able to hold off the $2.05 favourite Mystic Journey to record a three quarters of a length victory in the weight for age Makybe Diva Stakes.
The Phillip Stokes trained Mr Quickie ($31) also produced an outstanding performance to come from near the tail of the field to fill third spot.
Gatting is now marked at $31 for the Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 26 while Mystic Journey remains the $5 favourite.
