Devise has Eight Carat plan

Money suggests there are some punters who have little doubt Volpe Veloce can be beaten in the Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie today.

The Graham Richardson-trained filly opened at $1.80 in early TAB books for the race and has remained odds-on in the market.

However, Devise opened at $8.60 and was quickly reeled into $8 after money came for her.

Four figure bets filtered through and on Saturday she was in further to $6 as she continued to be popular and will start a clear second favourite.

While Volpe Veloce attempts to go six from six, the Shaune Ritchie-trained Devise is in pursuit of a hat -trick.

‘‘I felt at the opening price of $8.60 and $2.60 [place] she was a good each way bet and told a couple of my clients,’’ Ritchie said.

‘‘At the difference in value to a $1.80 favourite I think she is a good bet.’’

Bred and raced by The Oaks Stud, she is a daughter of their sire Darci Brahma and a half-sister to the well performed Zurella who ran second in the NZ Oaks of her year.

Unplaced first up in October, Devise then won her maiden at Hastings over 1400m and improved further to win a special conditions 1600m at Trentham.

Apprentice Brendan Hutton has ridden expertly in both wins, has confidence in the horse and continues his association at Ellerslie with stable hopes high.

‘‘She just keeps on improving this filly,’’ Ritchie said.

‘‘Obviously, the favourite will be very hard to beat but I’m happy with my filly.

‘‘The trip to Trentham, where she impressively beat the older horses, did her good and she goes into this race at the top of her game.

‘‘She’s got a good draw and the speed to make use of it and she should be right there and hard to beat.

I’m not saying she can beat Richie’s filly [Volpe Veloce trained by Graham Richardson] but she would want to be on her game because our filly is. ‘‘It’s going to be an interesting race.’’ The Ritchie stable also has Sultan Of Swing and 2-year-old Global Thinking running at Ellerslie.