Trainer of Makybe Diva Stakes winner Gatting has been questioned over the horses improvement after upstaging Cox Plate favourite Mystic Journey in the feature at Flemington today.
Gatting was sent out at $151/1 with most bookmakers but held off the gallant attempt of the even money favourite Mystic Journey over the final 100m to win the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes.
Such was the shock of the win Racing Victoria stewards questioned trainer Darren Mcauliffe as to the reason for the horses improvement.
“Last start he had a terrible ride,” McAuliffe said.
“They went really slowly and he was way too keen and over-raced and today he was given the perfect ride.
“He’s a horse with great aerobic capacity. The faster they go the better he goes and we saw that today,
“He’s a (WA) Derby winner and he ran second in the Railway in the quickest time.”
Darren McAuliffe was then asked whether he believed the horse could win.
“To be honest, no,” he said.
“The market indicated that. I told connections that I would be happy if we were hitting the line.”
Racing Victoria stewards have questioned trainer Darren McAuliffe as to the improvement and expectations of Makybe Diva Stakes winner Gatting after today’s shock victory.
McAuliffe said while he wasn’t expecting to win, he wasn’t surprised. @Racing— Grace Ramage (@gramage_) September 14, 2019
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au
