Undeniably will have his final start for trainer Mark Kavanagh in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday and the leading trainer is confident that the veteran gelding can end their association with a win.
Undeniably is chasing his second win at Listed level in the Doveton Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Undeniably had an impressive 2013 Melbourne Festival Of Racing campaign, finishing fourth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and fourth in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), but has failed to fire this campaign and has been included in the Inglis December Thoroughbred Sale.
The Fastnet Rock gelding failed to beat home a single runner first-up in Theshark.com.au Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 31 and produced fair runs in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1100m) and the Listed Heading Out Hair And Beauty Stakes (1200m) before finishing a disappointing tenth in the Listed Earl Grey Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day.
Kavanagh admits that Undeniably is past his best but told Racing Victoria that he believes the seven-year-old is still good enough to win the Listed event this weekend and accumulate prizemoney for his new owners interstate.
“He ran second in this race last year and I don’t think it would surprise us if he did return to form,” Kavanagh said.
“He’s certainly still got it and if there’s plenty of pace on in the race then it could be a situation where he runs well.
“He’s not as good as he was but he’s a beautiful old horse that will be better suited in an interstate yard where he can win a heap of races.”
Undeniably has raced consistently at Group level throughout his career, finishing second in the 2011 Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m), but is chasing just his second victory in a black type race after taking out the Listed Magee Memorial Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day last year.
The veteran gelding will need to return to his best form to be any chance against the strong Doveton Stakes field, which includes Chase The Rainbow who is returning to the races for the first time in over a year after a lengthy battle with injury.
Loveyamadly ($3.60) is currently the favourite in Doveton Stakes betting markets from Sumakaray ($4.80), Vatican ($5), Rescue Mission ($8) and Chase The Rainbow ($9); with Undeniably one of the outsiders in the field at $19.
