South Australian trainer Karen Byrnes is confident Doubly Sure will acquit himself well in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington, a race the gelding was runner-up in three years ago.
If he wins it will not be the first time the Murray Bridge trainer has been successful at Flemington, and at good odds.
Byrnes has fond memories of the day she won the 1988 Henry Bolte Steeplechase with 66-1 shot Brown Cast who went on to win the 1989 Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank.
Doubly Sure began his career with trainer Tony Vasil and won three races for him including 1800 and 2400m wins at Sandown in March-April of 2008.
At the end of that preparation he ran second to Gorky Park in the Listed Ramsden (3200m), when beaten five lengths.
After losing form, the gelding found his way into the stables of Mark Minervini but failed to win a race, placing just the once over 2600 metres at Morphettville.
Former Australian Racing Board chairman Bob Charley bought the son of O’Reilly and gave him to Byrnes to prepare for a jumping career.
However after he failed at his only hurdle start, Charley gave up on the horse but Byrnes persuaded him to lease him to her.
“I said to Bob when we got him, and Mark Minervini said the same thing, that he was a very tired horse,” said Byrnes.
“But we were getting him ready for a jumping career and Bob wanted to give him a start in a hurdle and he went terrible.”
Since the much-needed spell, Doubly Sure has not run a bad race in seven starts winning twice and placing twice and running fourth, fifth and an unlucky seventh to General Mackjosh in the Millicent Cup (2100m) at Penola.
At his third run in the seven-year-old won over 2050 metres at Strathalbyn and two starts later was third to Success Dosta in the Oakbank Cup (2150m).
Last Saturday he came from last to win at Morphettville, beating General Mackjosh and Keep Control.
“This race suddenly appeared and I thought `I’m crazy, I’m going for a $200,000 race, what am I doing’ but he did run second in it three years ago and his form is really good so we’ll have a go,” Byrnes said.
Dean Holland takes the ride on Doubly Sure who is at $26 with TAB Sportsbet.
Niwot, prepared by Team Hawkes, is the $3.90 Ramsden favourite ahead of I’m Jake at $5.50, Stole and Becqu Adoree at $7, Hiphopopotamus at $12 and Tarawera at $14.
AAP TURF