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Al Dhafra chasing five from five
Friday 19 March 2010
By Mathew Toogood
Astute trainer Guy Walter believes unbeaten three-year-old Al Dhafra's adaptability will stand him in good stead for Saturday's Group Two Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill.
Walter said the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) would be Al Dhafra's biggest test to date after claiming four straight wins including the $100,000 Canberra Guineas (1400m) last start.
"He's drawn well (barrier five) and I'm just hoping the small field doesn't mean a lack of pace," Walter said.
"However, if it does he's already proven he's adaptable.
"Two starts back he sat up on the speed at Rosehill and was able to win and then last start at Canberra he dropped out to last from a wide gate and still won.
"He's very adaptable and that's going to be in his favour."
Walter, by his own admission, has had a pretty quiet run in big races since Excites won the Sires' Produce Stakes in 2006 but he sees potential in Al Dhafra.
He's even said Al Dhafra looks like he could be the best horse he's trained in the past few years.
"I've had a pretty quiet run for three or four years," he said.
"It's far too premature to compare him to good horses I've had in the past but he's shaping up well."
Al Dhafra will again be ridden by Kathy O'Hara who has been aboard in all four of the gelding's wins.
"He worked on the course proper on Tuesday with Bernicia which was good work for him," O'Hara said.
"It's all been in one campaign for him and he's already done a massive job for a three-year-old winning four from four.
"Every time we've asked him he's stood up and answered the call."
Al Dhafra is the odds-on favourite at $1.95 with TAB Sportsbet for the Phar Lap.
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