Gai Waterhouse believes her brilliant sprinting mare Driefontein is set to capture her first Group 1 triumph in Adelaide on Saturday.
The Magic Millions Classic winner as a two-year-old has won almost $1.9 million in stake-money throughout her career, but she is yet to capture that always elusive Group 1.
Driefontein will tackle the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Classic (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday against Australia’s best sprinting mares.
Waterhouse sent the four-year-old Fastnet Rock mare to Adelaide two weeks ago when she dominated the Group 3 Irwin Stakes (1100m).
“I brought her back to Melbourne, just to keep her ticking over.
“She’s a very happy mare,” Gai said this week.
Waterhouse explained Driefontein would be travelling to Adelaide (Thursday) and Vlad Duric would again have the ride.
“I really liked the way Vlad rode her last time.
“He just sat outside the leader and let her do her own thing,” she added.
“She’s ready to win again,” Gai said.
Interestingly, Driefontein is a $9 chance in the latest fixed-odds market behind the defending champion from last year, Platelet – a $4.60 favourite.
Ironically, she beat Platelet comfortably in the Irwin Stakes, only this week she has to run an extra 100 metres.
– Racing Network
