Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes is expecting a very competitive performance from Dibayani in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The Irish import has impressed Hayes since his first Australian start when a solid third to Mourinho in the Group 2 $200,000 Back To Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield three weeks ago.
“Dibayani is in terrific form,” Hayes said.
Dibayani, who had six starts in Hong Kong without a win after starting is career in Ireland, played up at the barrier before the P.B. Lawrence Stakes, prompting Hayes to make five gear changes for the six year old.
Hayes, who trained in partnership with Tom Dabernig at Lindsay Park, has removed the blinkers from Dibayani, the ears muffs are back on, the noseroll has come off, a stallion chain will be used and a blindfold will be placed on him behind the barriers to help him load more calmly.
Hayes also took Dibayani to Moonee Valley during the week for track work to give him a preview look at the course and reported that he had no trouble handling the tricky circuit.
“We gave him a look around the Valley, he seems to love it,” Hayes said.
Noted front runner The Cleaner always ensures that there is a solid pace on whenever he goes around and that will be the case again with the Mick Burles trained gelding drawing barrier seven in the twelve horse field of the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes.
Hayes can see Dibayani getting a nice trail for Damian Lane behind the speed from barrier five and the champion trainer is expecting the six year old to be very competitive in the Group 2 weight for age feature.
“Drawn to get a nice run on a predicted fast pace. I am sure he is going to be very competitive,” Hayes said.
Dibayani is currently listed as a $13 chance for the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes with the John O’Shea trained Contributer heading the market order with Ladbrokes.com.au at $1.80.
B.P. Lawrence Stakes quinella Mourinho and The Cleaner are set to face off again and share the second line of betting at $6.50 ahead of Big Memory at $11..
Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.80 Contributer, $6.50 Mourinho, The Cleaner, $11 Big Memory, $13 Dibayani, $16 Foreteller, $21 Kenjorwood, Bagman, $41 Gallante, $61 Banco Mo, $201 Ethiopia, No Tricks.