Desert of Malibu with speed to spare in Clovis Metcalfe

THE JURY is still out on American mare DESERT OF MALIBU’s next-to-last finish, off a five-month lay-up, eased by Omar Walker after playing rabbit for local-bred stablemate ATOMICA, in last month’s Seeking My Dream at seven and a half furlongs.

Returning as the lone speedster in Saturday’s Clovis Metcalfe at the exact trip, DESERT OF MALIBU could possibly shred rivals with the pace that has, so far, won her 10 races from 14 starts locally.

DESERT OF MALIBU’s next-to-last run in the Seeking My Dream belies her performance, matching strides for six and a half furlongs with COMMANDANT, whose only loss in three starts, since finishing third in December’s Mouttet Mile, was a mishap in April’s Ian Levy Cup.

Gunning the lead in the Seeking My Dream, DESERT OF MALIBU stayed glued to COMMANDANT through splits of 34.2, 46.0 and 58.3.

Flattening coming off the turn, DESERT OF MALIBU was left plodding by COMMANDANT, but held third to the furlong pole before being swallowed by a wall of horses, including RUN JULIE RUN, who closed for fourth behind COMMANDANT, ATOMICA, and TIZ TOK.

RUN JULIE RUN returns for another crack at open allowance, which has been dominated by foreigners such as DESERT OF MALIBU, whose win streak was halted by an even eighth-place run in the Mouttet Mile.

Rounding off last season with a gallant attempt to catch BOOTYLICIOUS at five and a half furlongs on Christmas Eve, DESERT OF MALIBU allowed the local speedster 20lb in a half-length loss.

With the Seeking My Dream run under her girth, DESERT OF MALIBU could be lonely on the lead entering the stretch run against slower horses. Relaxed on the lead, DESERT OF MALIBU finding another gear in the stretch run will first pull the closers off their bridles too early, leaving them without their best tool, finishing speed.