3 minute read

Yeah Dardy is an outside chance to win the Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m), but trainer Justine Erkelens believes he can buck the odds and cause an upset at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Yeah Dardy has not raced since March, but Erkelens has elected to roll the dice and tackle the Beaufine Stakes first up after a positive report from jockey, Shaun O'Donnell .

"Shaun got off him after a gallop and said to throw a nomination in," Erkelens said.

"Shaun's really happy with him and said he feels terrific.

"Happy jock, the barrier helps and I thought why not.

"He never runs a bad race and usually goes pretty good first up.

"I'm going into race confident he can go well.

"I think he can run in the first three."

Yeah Dardy is bursting to win a feature race after going close previously.

In 35 starts he's run placings in the Belmont Newmarket (1200m), Old Comrade Stakes (1600m), the Farnley Stakes (1400m), the Hannans (1400m) and Cyril Flower Stakes (1300m).

From 11 first-up attempts he has won four races and placed on three occasions.

Erkelens is also confident Yeah Dardy can handle the conditions at Belmont on Saturday with the track expected to be in the heavy range.

"It will be interesting to see how the track will play out," Erkelens said.

"But he should be able to get through it ok, he's won on soft and heavy before.

"It was a few years ago when he won the New Season Sprint (1000m) on a heavy 8."

Yeah Dardy is $18 with Tab Fixed Odds. Miss Conteki the $3 favourite.

Meanwhile Erkelens has delayed Friar Fox returning to the races after she was allocated 64.5kg in the Amelia Park Handicap (1650m).

"She had too much weight and doesn't run in the wet," Erkelens said.

"There is a 78 + race next Saturday, but she is jumping out of her skin."