Jolly Aiming For Discreet Double
- Tuesday, 16 March 2010 07:15
Trainer Richard Jolly is looking to pull off a Group One family double with half-sisters Very Discreet and I'm Discreet in the Sportingbet Classic and the Australasian Oaks respectively on Saturday.
Jolly believes Very Discreet can rebound at Morphettville from the worst run of her career while he is hopeful that I'm Discreet's class and toughness will give her the edge in the Oaks.
Four-year-old Very Discreet, who has won five of her nine starts, was a victim of her own brilliance last start when she began quickly and raced against her normal racing pattern on the speed in the Group Three Irwin Stakes (1100m) won by Augusta Proud.
She was always a target for the swoopers on a track that was favouring backmarkers and was swamped, finishing sixth of the seven runners.
"On face value it was disappointing but she jumped quickly and as soon as she was in front it gave her no hope," Jolly said.
"I think you just have to forgive her that run and give her another chance.
"She does relax when she gets cover and finishes off well and that's what she will have to do to be a chance in a race like that on Saturday."
Chad Lever has partnered Very Discreet most of her career and will ride her again in the 1200m Morphettville feature.
Last spring the mare won three Listed races including the Wylie Stakes (1100m) and Durbridge Stakes (1200m) when Lever rode her.
She also won the Listed Crown Promenade Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Oaks day.
Very Discreet, by Exceed And Excel, and I'm Discreet, by Elusive Quality, have been the most notable of six winning foals from Group Three Dermody Stakes winner She's Discreet.
Jolly said I'm Discreet was a tougher filly than Very Discreet and being a winner of five of her eight starts including the Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m) had earned a crack at the Oaks (2006m) after her fourth in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) on March 8.
"She is a query at the trip but she is a pretty tough filly and battled on okay at the mile last start," Jolly said.
"I think she will run 2000 metres but she will probably want a nice draw and a cushy run."
Jolly is hopeful that Shady Grove, a winner of two of her seven starts and a last-start second in restricted grade over 1800 metres at Morphettville, will also get a start in the Oaks.
If she does her usual rider Libby Hopwood would retain the ride.
"She (Shady Grove) has been running against lesser opposition but she is going quite well," Jolly said.
"She probably lacks a bit of class but she will stay and is very honest so she certainly deserves her chance."
Final fields and barriers for the Sportingbet Classic and the Oaks will be declared on Wednesday.
Pictures: Quentin Lang & Jenny Barnes
