La Dolce Vita Can Turn-The-Tables In Gold Edition Plate

La Dolce Vita will have the final start of her campaign in the 2015 Gold Edition Plate at Doomben tomorrow and trainer Brad Smith is hopeful that she can turn-the-tables on Secret Saga in the Listed event.

La Dolce Vita has the chance to turn-the-tables on Secret Saga in the 2015 Gold Edition Plate at Doomben tomorrow. Photo by: Daniel Costello

La Dolce Vita has the chance to turn-the-tables on Secret Saga in the 2015 Gold Edition Plate at Doomben tomorrow. Photo by: Daniel Costello

La Dolce Vita started her spring campaign with an impressive win in the CJ Vogler & Son Plate (800m) at Ipswich on August 14 and she proved that was no fluke when she took out the Karalee Park Handicap (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast on September 6.

The Ferocity filly produced the worst performance of her career to date when she finished fifth in the Best Security Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on September 26, but she returned to her best form to finish second behind Secret Saga in the Bronx Nation Handicap (1050m) at Doomben on November 14 and the Listed Mode Plate (1200m) at the same venue on November 28.

Smith has been happy with the form of La Dolce Vita during this preparation and he does not believe that there is a great deal between his filly and Secret Saga ahead of the 2015 Gold Edition Plate.

“She had every chance against Secret Saga last run when she was a little under done but in one more stride she would have won, but you can’t take anything away from Secret Saga as she missed the start and had to come around them,” Smith said.

“My filly knuckled down and fought on strongly and the last 100 metres was her best.

“It’s going to be hard again from her awkward alley but I want her ridden more positively.

“She’s got terrific gate speed so we might as well use one of her strengths and make Secret Saga work that bit harder.”

Horses that run in the Gold Edition Plate generally press on to the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 9, but Smith confirmed that La Dolce Vita will head to the spelling paddock no matter how she performs in the Listed event this weekend.

“I was going to spell her after her last run but she pulled up so well we’ve decided to give her another go,” Smith said.

“Long term I’m aiming her for the three-year-old winter races next year as I think she’ll eventually get 1400 metres when she learns to sit off the pace and settle.”

La Dolce Vita is currently available at 2015 Gold Edition Plate odds of $14 with Ladbrokes, while Secret Saga ($4) remains a narrow favourite from My Girl Hayley ($4.60), Dram Of Red ($6.50), Madotti ($8.50), Le Chef ($10), Privlaka ($12) and Sold For Song ($12).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.