Premiership trainer Darren Weir is confident that Puissance De Lune will strip a much fitter horse when he lines up in the Group 1 $400,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Puissance De Lune, grey, and Foreteller fighting out the finish of the 2013 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The giant grey has the benefit of two runs back this campaign from an injury enforced break and will line a fit racehorse for the weight for age 1600m contest this weekend.
“He seems to be good, he’s come on a little bit again,” Weir told Racing.com.
“I’m really trying not to look too far ahead of Saturday to be honest.
“If he pulled up well you might back him up a week later in the Underwood or you could wait and go to the Turnbull three weeks later.”
Puissance De Lune missed a place first up as the $2.60 favourite when sixth to Star Rolling in the Group 2 $200,000 Back To Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16 then stuck on okay when third to Dissident in the Group 1 $400,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30.
While Weir has always targeted the Makybe Diva Stakes as one of the French imports main Spring Carnival targets, the rest of his campaign will be decided on his performance on Saturday.
The Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 20 and the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4 are both suitable races for the seven year old stallion.
Puissance De Lune will be up against the Peter Moody trained Dissident again with the top Caulfield trainer also predicting improvement from his four year old.
“Dissident has trained on nicely and is in good shape,” Moody said.
“He has come on well.”
Puissance De Lune was beaten in a close photo finish by Foreteller in last year’s running of the Makybe Diva Stakes and the Chris Waller trained galloper is also among the nominations this year.
Waller has also nominated triple Group 1 winner Boban and is hoping he can bounce back to form after two unplaced runs from a spell.
The Bernardini five year old was fourth first up to Sweet Idea in the Group 2 $175,000 McGrath Estate Agents Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 9 then was a well beaten fifth to Dissident in the Memsie Stakes.
