Godolphin Looks to Gear Change to Unlock Dipsy Doodle’s Potential in Randwick Return
In the world of horse racing, Godolphin is banking on a gear change to help unleash the full potential of stakes placegetter Dipsy Doodle when the headstrong filly resumes racing at Randwick Racecourse this Saturday.
The daughter of Lonhro has already won two of her seven career starts, most notably splitting Hip Hip Hurrah and the ill-fated Miracle Of Love in the 2023 Listed Woodlands Stakes at Scone. However, Godolphin’s assistant trainer Darren Beadman believes the talented filly has even more ability that is yet to be fully realized.
“She has been her own worst enemy,” Beadman said. “When she ran first-up over 1200 metres last campaign and Zac (Lloyd) rode her, he was just a passenger. She took control of him and went at a blistering speed, which left her vulnerable late. It wasn’t a bad horse (Our Kobison) that beat her that day – it went on to hold its own in Saturday class.”
In her most recent trial, Dipsy Doodle again wanted to tug for the reins with James McDonald in the saddle. In response, the Godolphin team has fitted the filly with a tongue tie, a gear adjustment Beadman expects to have a significant impact when she tackles the TAB Handicap (1000m) first-up on Saturday.
“She was a little bit out of control with ‘J Mac’ (McDonald) the other day without the tongue tie, but I think with the tongue tie she will be more tractable,” Beadman said. “If she can get that first 600 metres right, she has got a lot of upside.”
McDonald will maintain the ride on Dipsy Doodle, one of four Godolphin mounts he will handle on the day. The leading hoop will also partner the stable’s Tamerlane in the afternoon’s feature race, the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m).
While Tamerlane wasn’t disgraced when finishing midfield and just over three lengths from Coastwatch first-up at Scone, the gelding will have to set a modern-day weight-carrying record to triumph, with 59.5kg on his back. Only a select few have managed to lug similar heavy impost to Civic Stakes victories in the past 20 years.
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