Trainer Chris Waller believes that Wine Tales will prove very hard to beat in the 2014 City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.
Wine Tales has the chance to record a maiden win at black type level in the 2014 City of Greater Dandenong Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Wine Tales started her spring preparation with a an unlucky second place finish behind Slightly Sweet in the Cellarbrations Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on October 11 before she returned to winning form with a professional performance in the Bill Gilmour Tennis Centre Plate (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on October 25.
The Tale Of The Cat filly was sent to Melbourne and was well-backed in the lead-up to the Listed Lexus Hybird Plate (1400m) at Flemington on November 4, but she could finish no better than fifth after being blocked in the final stages of the race.
Wine Tales was included in the acceptances for both the City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes and the Cellarbarations Blackwood Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens, but Waller confirmed that the three-year-old will run in Melbourne and he is confident that she will prove very difficult to beat.
“The only negative is that she has come a long way in a short time including a trip to Melbourne,” Waller said.
“She should win and she would have to go backwards not to win.
“Without disrespecting the other horses, she will be very hard to beat.”
Wine Tales will carry 56 kilograms under the set weights plus penalties conditions of the City of Greater Dandenong Stakes and will face 11 rivals.
Muscovado will also carry 56 kilograms and trainer Gai Waterhouse is hoping that the Big Brown filly can return to winning form after she finished a disappointing tenth in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
The rest of the City of Greater Dandenong Stakes field will carry 55 kilograms and talented maiden More Radiant looms as one of the major dangers to Wines Tales after she drew barrier one this morning.
More Radiant has always been highly regarded and she has performed fairly without winning during her spring preparation after finishing sixth in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on September 13, third in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 11 and second behind Tawteen in the Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
The undefeated Wawail, Lloyd Kennewell-trained Wroclaw, last start winner The French House and Team Corstens-trained She’s All That have also been included in the City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes field.
