News

Diva’s little girl to debut at Sandown

1st Jun 2011

Racenet - Brad Waters - Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Champion trainer Mark Kavanagh is likely to take the wraps off the second foal of triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva at Saturday’s Betfair Park – Sandown Lakeside meeting.

Kavanagh has accepted to run La Dolce Diva in the Jim Conway Handicap (1200m) but said he would decide later in the week if the daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus would make her debut in the $70,000 race.

"I will make up my mind on Friday if she will run. It depends on the track,” Kavanagh said. "I wouldn't want to run her if it is going to be too heavy.”

Kavanagh secured La Dolce Diva for $1.2 million at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer said he has adopted a patient approach with the filly.

"This is her third preparation and she has been taken along quietly,” Kavanagh said.

"Mum didn't race till late, there's no rush.”

La Dolce Diva has not trialled publicly but Kavanagh said the filly has had three unofficial jump-outs. The two-year-old ran third in "fair time” at her last hit-out at Werribee last Friday.

Kavanagh said Saturday’s race would probably be La Dolce Diva’s only appearance before he gave her a break to fill out further before a spring campaign.

"She has showed us that she is a stayer,” Kavanagh said. "I'd like to get a run into her this preparation to give her the experience and then put her away and train her for the [VRC] Oaks.”

Kavanagh’s stable jockey Michael Rodd will ride La Dolce Diva if the youngster steps out on Saturday. The filly has drawn barrier 10.