Bendigo fillies The Big Dance and Make Her Own Whey will chase a black type victory when they line up in the Group Three $150,000 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
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The Big Dance, trained by Danny Currran, failed to fire down the straight at Flemington last start.
Curran said his speedy filly had the ability to win the race if she found her best form.
“She an angry young lady at the moment. We’re not sure what to expect,’’ Curran said.
“She’s got some growing up to do and we’re paying the penalty for cranking her up to win that race last year ($250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush) and then she had the disaster at Moonee Valley.
“Physically, she’s the best we’ve ever had her. Hopefully, she behaves herself and puts her best foot forward.
“If she runs to her best she’ll win the race.”
Make Her Own Whey is in career-best form for trainer Shaun Dwyer.
The daughter of Testa Rossa broke her maiden status in fine style at Geelong two starts ago before running a fast-finishing third to the in-form Heatherly at Flemington last start.
“The two horses that finished in front of her last start are obviously pretty good and I was worried they’d be in this race,’’ Dwyer said.
“I don’t think this race is any stronger. Her sectionals last start warranted her going to this race and I think she’s found some improvement.
“I would have preferred a barrier where she could have fallen into a cover spot, but from gate seven she’ll need some luck to get a nice spot.
“I think Caulfield will suit her better than the straight at Flemington. She’s had a lot of racing, but she’s very tough.”
The Big Dance is a $14 chance, while Make Her Own Whey is one of the outsiders at $41.
Sutton Grange trainer Brent Stanley saddles up Sweet Sherry in the $200,000 Group Two Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies.
Sweet Sherry was super impressive in winning at Flemington on debut before running on well against the track pattern at Moonee Valley.
The daughter of Bel Esprit is over the odds at $34 for Saturday’s race.
Meanwhile, Bendigo jockey Brad Rawiller will be out to continue an unbeaten run on Mahuta when the colt attempts to extend his own winning streak to six in the Group Two Autumn Stakes.
Mahuta, part-owned by Bendigo’s Roll The Dice syndicate, has won five successive races since trainer Darren Weir put blinkers on the colt before his third start in a Kilmore maiden in October which he won by six lengths.
Rawiller has been aboard for Mahuta's past three wins in the Carbine Club Stakes, the Sandown Guineas and the Magic Millions Guineas.
Mahuta will be out to stamp his Australian Guineas credentials in Saturday's 1400m race at Caulfield for which he shares favouritism at $3 with Australia Stakes winner Holler.
"He's just ticking along beautifully," Rawiller said.
"There's no hidden secret he's been up for a long time but he seems to have taken no ill effect from it. He still seems in a great mindset so I can't wait."
Mahuta beat Holler when they met in the Listed Gothic Stakes last spring at Caulfield but Holler meets him 2kg better this time.
Weir said Mahuta went well in a trial at Terang last week and had a strong gallop over 800m when paired with Lucky Hussler on Monday.