David Hayes has confirmed that Dibayani will wear a one-eyed blinker when he contests the 2015 Underwood Stakes and the leading trainer is hopeful that the gear change will help the imported galloper get on the right leg in the Group 1 event at Caulfield tomorrow.
Dibayani chased home Mourino and The Cleaner in the 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Dibayani made his Australian racing debut in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 15 and he clearly had issues getting on his Melbourne leg, but he was still able to find the line fairly to finish third behind Mourinho and The Cleaner.
The Shamardal gelding once again had issues getting on the right leg in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 5, but he finished better than odds-on favourite Contributer to finish third behind The Cleaner and Bagman.
Hayes told Racing.com that Dibayani will be suited by the step-up in distance to 1800 metres in the Underwood Stakes and he is hopeful that the application of a one-eyed blinkers will help him get around Caulfield without any issues.
“He is getting out to more of a suitable distance,” Hayes said.
“He has done very well and he has had a nice space in between runs.
“He has drawn a bit on the outside, but a one-eyed blinker will just help he get around the bends.
“The last two runs he has just got on the wrong leg a bit straightening, but he battled on very well both times.
“The longer you work him the faster he runs home and with the one-eyed blinker he has been well and truly on the Melbourne leg at Euroa.”
Hayes is chasing his first win in the Underwood Stakes since he took out the 1994 edition of the race with subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Jeune, but he has had no luck in recent years after finishing second with Miss Finland in 2007, third with Crackerjack King in 2014 and Molotov in 2006 and missing the placings with Largo Lad (ninth behind So You Think in 2010), Kibbutz (ninth behind Weekend Hussler in 2008), Tawqeet (11th behind Rubiscent in 2007), Purde (12th behind El Segundo in 2006), Confectioner (sixth behind Perlin in 2005) and Hugs Dancer (eighth behind Perlin in 2005).
Dibayani is currently available at 2015 Underwood Stakes odds of $12 with Ladbrokes, while Fawkner ($3.50) remains a clear favourite from Contributer ($4.50), The Cleaner ($6.50) and Mongolian Khan ($11).
