Dodolicious Spot on for Oaks Encounter
Can brilliant Western Australian-bred filly, Dodolicious, upset the might of Mark Purdon’s unbeaten superstar, Our Dream About Me, in the Form 700 Group 1 New South Wales Oaks (2400m) at Menangle on Sunday?
That’s the herculean challenge facing Perth co-trainers Greg and Skye Bond, but the husband and wife combination won’t be lacking any confidence and believe they have their charge spot on for her toughest encounter.
Their hopes were boosted when Dodolicious, driven by Luke McCarthy, posted a dominant heat win last week, the daughter of top sire, Bettors Delight, found the front and sprinted home in 26.9 seconds.
It continued a rich vein of form for Dodolicious, extending her winning streak to five and followed a courageous victory over Chevrons Champion in the $50,000 Daintys Daughter Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
“She brought the game we were hoping she would bring,” Greg Bond said on TABradio.
“She came through it well and we have had a good week to date with her.
“She can be a little flighty but has settled in well and everything is spot on for Sunday.
“She hasn’t missed a beat and we are all good to go.”
The Bond camp were given a boost early in the week when Dodolicious drew well in barrier three and Our Dream About Me inside of the second row.
Bond said despite lacking genuine gate speed he expected Luke McCarthy to have Dodolicious in a prominent position throughout.
“Hopefully we can move forward and find the pegs early,” Bond said.
“I will leave it up to Luke who nails his drives wherever he goes.
“He nailed the drive the other night in the heat.
“Hopefully we will be in the firing line and give her every opportunity.”
Dodolicious has won 10 of 15 starts and was runner-up in last year’s Golden Slipper to Gary Elson’s, Sprinter, who in a star-studded Menangle meeting, flies the Western Australian flag in the Group 1 NSW Derby (2400m)
Our Dream About Me enjoys a faultless record of 11 wins from as many starts after stepping out for her race debut in New Zealand last February.
The star three-year-old was given a scare in last week’s Oaks heat, but displayed her class when she chased down Rocknroll Magic in the final 50m.
Our Dream About Me went 1:56.2 in her heat win, Dodolicious, who defeated Art Mistress by 11 metres, rated 1:57.5.
Punters are rock solid behind Our Dream About Me and expect her to remain undefeated. She is the TAB’s dominant $1.22 favourite.
Rocknroll Magic, from the Emma Stewart camp, is the second-elect at $5. Dodolicious is the only other runner in single figures ($8.50).
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