Don’t Doubt Mamma swooped home late to record an impressive victory in the 2016 Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley tonight.
Don’t Doubt Mamma will be set for the Group 1 Myer Classic following a second-consecutive win in the Stocks Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
There was very little speed in the early stages of the Stocks Stakes and Miss Rose De Lago had an easy time of it in front, but the slow pace favoured the horse with the best turn-of-foot and that was clearly Don’t Doubt Mamma late.
Dwayne Dunn admitted after the race that he did not expect to get as far back as he did in the Stocks Stakes, but he said that he could not have been more impressed with the acceleration she showed in the concluding stages.
“Rising Romance bombed the start and it just had me wondering where I was going to be,” Dunn said.
“I got a beautiful cart into the corner and she is always a question mark at a mile, but I made her work on the bend and she really started to pick up nicely.
“She got the job done and I really hope to win a Group 1 on her one day.”
The victory of Don’t Doubt Mamma gave Tony McEvoy a feature race double following the victory of Hey Doc in the Stutt Stakes and he was most impressed with the performance of his star mare.
Don’t Doubt Mamma remains in the entries for both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), but McEvoy confirmed that the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day is the major spring target for the daughter of Not A Single Doubt.
“It wasn’t out plan to be back that far, but when you have these high-class riders on as a trainer it gives you a lot of confidence to leave the decision-making to them out there,” McEvoy said.
“She was fabulous.
“She just has a great winning culture and she is a great competitor.
“I would love to get her into a big handicap with no weight one day, but she is high-quality.
“She is really good at a mile and the Myer is her race.
“It is the Group 1 against mares and it is her race.”
Darren Weir-trained Kaniana produced the best performance of her racing career to date to finish second, while Miss Rose De Lago rounded out the placings in third.
There was plenty of late money for Rising Romance, but she was never in the race.
