Tom Dabernig excited about the progression of Empire Rose contender Flying Mascot
Tom Dabernig wasn’t expecting to have a runner during the Flemington carnival, now he has four including a top chance in a Group 1.
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Tom Dabernig thought saddling one runner in the Melbourne Cup Carnival was laughable a month ago and yet the Warrnambool start-up trainer now has four of his 15 horses set for Flemington.
Flying Mascot, an emergent and aptly-named stable banner horse, is one of five mares eligible for a $1m bonus in Saturday’s crack $1m Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).
The decision by Racing Victoria in August to dangle a $1m carrot to the winners of 12 select races kept the best in Melbourne and starved a rival $2m Sydney pop-up last Saturday of star power and depth.
The Empire Rose in contrast has dual Group 1 winner Tofane as a $3.50 TAB favourite, followed by Mystic Journey ($5.50) and Colette ($7).
Flying Mascot, $9.50 currently with the bookmaker, is on the fourth line of betting ahead of Still A Star ($10), Hungry Heart ($15) and Amarelinha ($17).
Five of the top seven horses in the market boast wins at the highest level, while Sierra Sue, a Group 1 winner only two starts back, is down the order at $31.
Flying Mascot surged into Empire Rose calculations with a barnstorming four-length romp at The Valley last Saturday in the Group 3 Tesio Stakes (1600m).
The mare led all the way to win at Bendigo two starts back before a hard-run second at Ballarat.
Ex-Lindsay Park trainer Dabernig said Flying Mascot’s progression – benchmark 70 to Group 3 winner – and the bonus warranted a shot at the seasoned Group 1 mares in the Empire Rose.
“I’m hoping she’s one of those mares that’s in a little bit of a purple patch and she can do it again,” Dabernig said.
“The seven-day back-up is always a hard thing to say, I’ve had horses perform above what you think on a quick back-up and I’ve had horses that don’t cope with it and run poorly.
“I had that Tesio earmarked for her a long way out, although it sounds ambitious, I thought it might be her chance to get some black type but I must admit I was going there thinking (a placing).
“If she can reproduce what she did last week she'll run a good race … I’d be delighted even if we run a place, she’s probably the mare on the way up in the field.
“But these seasoned proven Group 1 horses I’ve got a healthy respect for them.”
Dabernig will saddle up Energy Within at Flemington on Cup Day, with Spinning (Oaks day) and Lunatic Fringe (Stakes day) to step out on the remaining days of the carnival.
“You never know, Cup Week can be a great leveller, I’ve learned that over the years,” Dabernig said.
“All my horses are going to have to punch above their weight a bit but you never know, they’re all fit and well and all the owners I’m sure will get a buzz from having a runner over the week.”
Originally published as Tom Dabernig excited about the progression of Empire Rose contender Flying Mascot
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