Talented mare Suavito upset the well-backed Dissident to win the 2015 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.
Suavito upset Smokin’ Joey and Dissident in the 2015 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Dissident jumped from the gates well to take up the running in the early stages of the race before Driefontein kicked up to lead and Smokin’ Joey challenged on the outside, while Suavito was settled towards the tail of the field.
Jockey Ben Melham asked Dissident for an extra effort at the 400 metre mark, but the four-time Group 1 winner was unable to respond and Smokin’ Joey ran past him before Suavito finished over the top of her rivals to record a maiden win at Group 1 level.
Damien Oliver timed his run on Suavito brilliantly, but the leading hoop was quick to pay credit to the toughness of the mare and trainer Nigel Blackiston’s decision to run her in the Futurity Stakes.
“She has a great record here and first-up,” Oliver said.
“There is not a lot of her, but she is so tough.
“Smokin’ Joey put a bit of pressure into the race coming to the turn, which was good as I was able to get on his back and get a nice drag into it.
“All credit here to Nigel and the owners, they wanted to have a crack at the Group 1.”
Blackiston said earlier in the week that he was happy with Suavito and confident that she could run well in the Futurity Stakes and the talented trainers was thrilled that his decision to give the Thorn Park mare an opportunity at Group 1 weight-for-age level had paid off.
“It is a nice race to try at Group 1 level and the mare is going really well this time in,” Blackiston said.
“She has grown and got stronger and it was the perfect race to try at weight-for-age race.
“At the end of spring we decided that it would either be the Mannerism Stakes or have a go in the Futurity if it was a small field and it worked out perfect.
“She got on the back of the right horse and was always travelling on the turn and I thought that if she finds she will be hard to beat.
“She won a Group 2 and a Group 3 in the spring and to come back and win a Group 1 first-up is fantastic.”
Melham said after the race that Dissident never came back under him during the run and there is every chance that the Sebring entire could be retired ahead of a career as a stallion at stud.
