Dibayani has been drawn amongst a particularly talented field of twelve for Saturday’s featured Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, however trainer David Hayes is confident the classy Hong Kong import will more than come into his own over the 1800m running distance.
Trainer David Hayes is confident Dibayani is a winning chance in Saturday’s Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Dibayani began his racing career under the guidance of Michael Halford in Ireland in 2012; passing through the stables of Michael Chang before arriving in the care of Hayes and co-trainer Tom Dabernig prior to his 2015 Spring Carnival campaign.
Having impressed from the outset with a strong performance for third in the Group 3 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) on August 15th, the Shamardal gelding repeated the effort when third in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last time out on September 5th.
Hayes told Racing Ahead the Lindsay Park team have been thrilled with the continued improvement in condition displayed by Dibayani and are confident the conditions of the 2015 Underwood Stakes will prove ideal on Saturday.
“I’m really happy with him,” Hayes said.
“Just as the races get longer I think his chances get better.
“His two runs so far have been good short of his distance and building up to 2000m and a mile and a half he’s in a great spot.
“He’s a good, competitive horse this one and his form lines at 2000m are against some of the best horses in Hong Kong, which we know are world-class.”
Hayes has identified pace horse The Cleaner as a big hurdle for Dibayani to overcome in the 2015 Underwood Stakes, but is confident his runner is more than capable.
“It’s great to have The Cleaner in these races because tactics are easy – you just sit where you’re happy and if you’re good enough you can win,” Hayes added.
“I’d say he’ll be in the middle; we won’t be in a rush with him.
“If you beat The Cleaner you’ve got to beat him in the last 100m, not take him on at the 600m.”
Dibayani has posted an impressive two wins and nine minors through fifteen career starts so far and was a standout for Chang through his 2014 campaign; finishing in the minors in each of the Group 1 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Group 1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) most notably.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2015 Underwood Stakes odds, for which Dibayani can be taken at a quote of $12 for success.
