Desert of Malibu for Harlequin Cup

DESERT OF MALIBU got a rude welcome-back off a five-month lay-up, dragged by COMMANDANT in the Seeking My Dream Trophy two weeks ago through terrifying splits which left the six-year-old mare sputtering in the stretch run.

COMMANDANT, who has, undoubtedly, shown the best post-Mouttet Mile form, confirmed his status in the Seeking My Dream, leaving the door open for DESERT OF MALIBU to frank that race by landing Saturday’s Harlequin Cup at five furlongs straight.

DESERT OF MALIBU tried matching strides with five-year-old COMMANDANT, who ripped splits of 34.2, 46.0, and 58.3 into the lane, increasing to 1:11.3 a furlong and a half out, fractions too torrid for the mare, soon eased by Omar Walker for stablemate ATOMICA to start her futile rail bid in a kamikaze attempt at tag-teaming the favourite.

Returning at five furlongs straight, DESERT OF MALIBU isn’t badly drawn. Though listed at post-position two in the seven-horse field, DESERT OF MALIBU will technically break from mid-track.

Compensating for the track bias out the chute, the main gate is customarily shifted to the stands’ side and stall numbers adjusted likewise, which takes the entire field away from the heavier going of the straight course.

Having galloped six furlongs in 1:12.3, preparing for the Seeking My Dream, three Sundays ago, don’t expect Gary Subratie to have put DESERT OF MALIBU through any strenuous gallop after being roasted by COMMANDANT.

DESERT OF MALIBU’s two worse finishes in 14 starts, bar the Ian Levy Cup which he failed to finish, were against the best-of-the-best, an even eighth in the Mouttet Mile and being run off her legs by COMMANDANT off the lay-up in the Seeking My Dream.

LEGACY ISLE has failed to reproduce anything close to his narrow Mouttet Mile loss, caught at the wire by FUNCAANDUN, whereas BOOTYLICIOUS’ glass chin against matching speed and weight will again be exposed.

CHAMPION BUBBLER has shown vast improvement, notching a hat-trick out the straight since returning from a nine-month break. Though a strong finisher, CHAMPION BUBBLER will have to sprout wings to catch DESERT OF MALIBU.