McShane to test Tassie filly in Sires’
Hot Dipped has left her rivals in her wake at her only three starts in Tasmania, prompting her trainer to test the filly on the mainland.
The unbeaten two-year-old makes her Melbourne debut in Saturday’s Group Two VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) having won her three starts at Launceston by a combined 13 lengths.
“I’m not sure how strong our competition is until we throw her in the deep end,” trainer Brendan McShane said.
After her debut win in January, Hot Dipped took out a Magic Millions 2YO race at Launceston by eight lengths then added a 2-1/2 length win in the Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes.
“The reason I’ve sent her over straight after the Tassie carnival is to see whether she measures up or not,” McShane said.
“And if she does then she needs to be spelled immediately in regards to harder assignments in the spring, if the run is worthy of it.
“I’m not full of confidence but I’ve got a lot of confidence in the filly that she’ll give everything.”
Hot Dipped is at $4.40 behind Revolving Door and Seaburge who are both coming out of the same race at Sandown where they spaced their rivals when first and second respectively.
The John McArdle-trained Power Trip returns to the scene of his Maribyrnong Plate win when he steps up in distance in the Sires’.
Power Trip won the Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) down the straight at Flemington on debut last spring before returning this campaign to compete in the Blue Diamond series at Caulfield.
He finished fourth in two of the three legs including the Group One Blue Diamond (1200m) when he came in seven lengths from the winner Extreme Choice.
McArdle believes the rise to 1400m and a return to Flemington will suit the gelding.
“We didn’t know how he would go at 1100 metres and we found out he went all right,” McArdle said.
“Then he hit the line well at 1200 (in the Blue Diamond) and he looks as though 1400 will suit,” he said.