John Ayoub believes flying Dear Darcey is ideally drawn to take out this Saturday’s Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden (520m).
The promising sprinter followed up his victory in the heats with a superb triumph in last Friday night’s semi-finals to book a place in the decider.
Dear Darcey flew out of box six and although he seemed to tire in the closing stages, he held off Zipping Meg to win impressively in 29.89.
Owner-trainer Ayoub was delighted with the win but even happier when he picked box one for his charge in the $25,000-to-the-winner final.
“I’m rapt with that,” he said. “It’s where he wants to be.
“He loves the inside and as long as he comes out well I think he will be hard to beat.
“He is only a baby but every time I put him out in he seems to go better and better at the moment.”
Watch Dear Darcey’s semi-final win here.
It looks a remarkably close final on Saturday at Wentworth Park, with three of the semi-final winners – Black Bear Lee, Down Every Road and Dear Darcey – recording almost identical times.
Kihael Kaluna has won both his races in the series so far in sub-30 second times but will have to win the final from box six.
The son of Oaks Road x She’s The Goodes won his semi-final from box five and looks incredibly hard to beat.
If Dear Darcey can repeat his flying start then Ayoub believes the sprinter will be tough to stop.
“Last week was his first 500m so I wasn’t that surprised he tied up a little bit here,” Ayoub said.
“I never thought he would come out of the boxes like that but he has shown me what he can do.
“If he runs 29.70 he will win the race – and I think he can.
“I just hope it’s a good race, I wish everyone else the best of luck and hope the best dog wins.”
Dear Darcey is a son of Barcia Bale x Awesome Star and his sister Stolen Kisses has her second start in the first race at Bathurst today over 450m.
She fell on her first start in the Magic Maiden heats but looks to have the edge on these and Ayoub believes she also has ability.
For Bathurst Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Ladbrokes Magic Maiden Box Draw: 1. Dear Darcey 2. Aqua Phoenix 3. Zipping Meg 4. Kevro 5. Black Bear Lee 6. Kihael Kaluna 7. Down Every Road 8. Nit Noi. Reserves: Zipping Keith, Privacy.
