Randwick’s Villiers Stakes 2016 gives the Lindsay Park-trained Dibayani a chance to improve on an Epsom Handicap second at the track and distance two back.
Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig is confident of a good run in the 2016 Villiers Stakes by Dibayani this Saturday in Sydney. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The seven-year-old son of Shamardal was far from disgraced when going down by the narrowest of margins at Royal Randwick on October 1, just nosed out of the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) win by Hauraki.
The Irish import backed-up on Derby Day at Flemington but failed to make an impression finishing ninth to Illustrious Lad in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes (1200m).
This weekend he returns to Sydney and lines-up in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m), the summer mile clash attracted 23 nominations on Monday.
Co-trainer Tom Dabernig confirmed the horse was “in good order” after a nice right-handed gallop at Benalla last week and that the spacing of his runs looked ideal.
“He had a nice gallop the reverse way,” he told AAP.
“He seems in really good order and often runs well off a bit of time between runs.
“We tried that fresh down the straight during the carnival which he still ran well in but I think he needs that little bit of extra ground.
“That form out of the Epsom has turned out really good.
“I would have to think he’s got a very good chance.”
Dibayani is yet to break his maiden status down under and hasn’t won a race since a Black-Type win in Ireland back in June of 2013.
It may have been a long time between drinks for the rising eight-year-old, but he has been competitive against some tough competition including his second to Winx in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) in February.
Current Villiers Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au is led by the consistent Fabrizio ($2.80) who is two-from-four at the track and distance and the Ciaron Maher-trained Kilmore Cup winner Hazzabeel ($8.50) coming off a second to Sweet Redemption in Sydney’s Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m).
Dibayani is listed at an all-in price of $11, equal Villiers Stakes odds with Chris Waller’s Festival Stakes fourth placegetter Amovatio.
Back your early Villiers Stakes 2016 selections online now at Ladbrokes.com.au before markets firm with the release of the final field and barrier draw on Wednesday.
