Test for D’Argento
Bowman keen to see if colt can handle Hobartville step-up
IN just a little more than 80 seconds, Hugh Bowman will get a true handle on D’Argento’s ability.
This is the time it will take for the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) to be run at Rosehill today when unbeaten D’Argento faces his moment of truth.
The Chris Waller-trained D’Argento, a striking grey colt by So You Think, has won his only three starts impressively in restricted grade but suddenly he has been thrown into the deep end against an outstanding field of three-year-olds including Kementari, Trapeze Artist, Pierata, Ace High, Siege Of Quebec and Brave Song among others.
“This may well be a vintage edition of the Hobartville,’’ Bowman said. “It’s an excellent race, no doubt about it.
“But we have a very high opinion of D’Argento. He is a beautiful colt, he has shown us a lot, he keeps developing and is going the right way.
“This is a huge class rise so I guess we will see where we are at with him.’’
D’Argento, who has created such an impression in his three wins so far, is rated a $7.50 chance by Ladbrokes price assessors behind $2.40 favourite Kementari.
Bowman was encouraged by D’Argento’s recent win at Randwick when he resumed after a six-month break and ran down Shumookh to win narrowly.
Shumookh then demonstrated her quality when she stretched boom filly Alizee in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes last week.
“We know these horses he is up against in the Hobartville are proven at the top level and this colt has to step up to that next level,’’ he said.
Bowman then cited D’Argento’s barrier trial effort two weeks ago when third to Dixie Blossoms and Russian Revolution at Randwick over 1000m as further evidence of the colt’s quality.
“We would be surprised if he doesn’t run well,” he said.