Trainer Shaun Dwyer is confident that talented filly Villa Verde is an excellent winning chance when she returns to racing in the Three-Year-Olds Plate over 1000 metres at Caulfield on Saturday.
Villa Verde will begin her 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos
Villa Verde has not been seen at the races since her autumn campaign where she was found to be suffering from a respiratory problem after failing to perform at her best in both the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).
Dwyer told Racing Ahead that the breathing problem had been dealt with and said the daughter of Not A Single Doubt had returned as a three-year-old in superb condition.
“It is well documented that we had the respiratory problem with her in the autumn but there has been no sign of that at all,” Dwyer said.
“Her work has been very good; she had a jump out here last Tuesday and went very well.
“She has come through it well and had a good 1000 metre gallop this morning.
“She has grown quite a bit over the winter and you will probably see a different filly on Saturday.”
There is expected to be plenty of rain in Melbourne this week and chances are high that the Caulfield track is going to be on the slow side this weekend.
Dwyer does not believe that this will hinder Villa Verde’s chances on Saturday and he expects her to perform well against what is set to be a strong field, with Clevadude, Whiskey Allround and Il Cavallo all included in the nominations.
“I think that she is forward enough and I do think that she will handle the wet contrary to the Golden Slipper day,” Dwyer said.
“I am slightly apprehensive but I have done everything to possibly do to make sure that we are on the right track.
“I look forward to racing her on Saturday and I think that she will race very forward.
“If she returns to the form she showed twelve months ago she will be very hard to beat here.”
Dwyer is chasing a Group 1 victory with Villa Verde during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival and the three-year-old is set to contest the $250,000 Blue Sapphire (1200m) before taking part in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
