The ever confident Gai Waterhouse is expecting Driefontein to win again at Morphettville on Saturday and chalk up her first Group 1 victory in the $400,000 Sportingbet Classic (1200m).
Driefontein is ready to win the Sportingbet Classic after taking out the R N Irwin Stakes, above. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
The 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner is yet to salute at Group 1 level but Waterhouse says she is the one to beat again after winning the Group 3 $115,000 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville two weeks ago.
“She’s ready to win again,” Waterhouse told TVN.
Waterhouse brought Driefontein back to Melbourne after her R N Irwin Stakes win and has reported that the Fastnet Rock mare is in top condition.
“I brought her back to Melbourne, just to keep her ticking over,” Waterhouse said.
“She’s a very happy mare.”
The Sportinngbet Classic, formerly known as the as the Robert Sangster Stakes, will see Driefontein take on the Darren Weir trained Platelet again after she beat her convincingly in the R N Irwin Stakes.
Platelet is shaping up for back to back wins in the Sportingbet Classic which was the first leg of a Morphettvile Group 1 double last year when the mare went on to win the $500,000 The Distinctive Homes Goodwood (1200m).
Driefontein returned to the Gold Coast in January to take out the $164,000 R.M. Williams Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap (1300m) but was unplaced at two subsequent Sydney runs before heading off to Adelaide.
Melbourne jockey Vlad Duric had his first ride on Driefontein when she won in Adelaide and Waterhouse has retained him for the ride in the Sportingbet Classic.
“I really liked the way Vlad rode her last time,” Waterhouse said.
“He just sat outside the leader and let her do her own thing.”
Driefontein was sent out a $7 chance when she beat the odds on favourite Platelet by a length and a quarter and is still at the good odds of $9 for the Sportingbet Classic with Ladbrokes.com.au.
The Anthony Cummings trained Villa Verde is the current favourite at $4.60 coming off an eighth to Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12.
Platelet is next in the betting at $5 just ahead of the David Hayes trained Gregers at $5.50, Shamal Wind at $6.50, A Time For Julia at $8.50 while 2013 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Miracles Of Life is marked as a $13 chance.
