Bohemian Diamond a strong favourite for $100,000 clash but Dyson says Kelvinater can surprise
This week's $1.85 TABtouch fancy improved her impressive first-up record when scoring a comprehensive two-length win over Royal Gap and Cheryl's Shout (both $13 this weekend) on May 17.
From that race, fourth placegetter Hammarmill ($8.50), seventh Major Mario ($12), ninth Why Me ($14), 10th Zac Luvs To Fly ($41) and 11th finisher Storm Commander ($51) will all reoppose.
Whilst she has expressed an edge over those rivals, Kelvinater ($8.50) brings a different form-line and shapes as a logical challenger to the strong favourite.
The $280,000 earner disappointed when finishing almost 10 lengths from Hammarmill two starts ago before rebounding just a week later to win on May 10.
His rider, Taj Dyson, believes he can upstage the hotpot and says any overnight rainfall will be no object.
'I think he can (win). I actually really do like him tomorrow,' Dyson told TABradio.
'He just tends to be a different horse when he's in front and freewheeling a bit.
'I don't think the weight bothers him; the last start put that to bed.
'His wet form is pretty good, so I think if he can find the front and control, I think he'll be hard to beat.
'If we can lead (Cheryl's Shout) without doing too much work… he'll be extremely hard to beat.'
Prior to last start, Kelvinater had not won since July 2023 when winning a 61+ rated race at Belmont.
The gelding clearly has an affinity for Dyson having been partnered by him for three of his five career wins, with the jockey only returning to race riding in January after retiring in September 2023.
'He's definitely got the class on his side and it's a big mental game with him,' Dyson said.
'When a rider tries to tell him what to do, he throws the towel in pretty quick.
'He's a temperamental horse and even at trackwork, he's a handful, so Pop (trainer Fred Kersley) does a very good job with him.
'The drop in grade has obviously helped but he does have the ability to do it, it's just all in his head.'
The five-year-old is by little known stallion Heritage – a half-brother to champion Northerly - from Fred Kersley's unraced mare Sheer Royalty.
Just months before Sheer Royalty's birth, a pacer by the same name proved herself to be WA's best filly by capturing two Group 1s within two weeks, including the 2009 WA Oaks.
+ Speedy mare Joliestar ($3f) remains outright elect for the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm, while Statuario ($6) just leads Belle Detelle ($10 to $6.50) for the other Group 1, the Queensland Derby (2400m).
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