Weight swing makes Digital One the horse to beat

GARY SUBRATIE summoning claiming rider Emelio McLean aboard DIGITAL ONE for Saturday’s SVL 24th Anniversary Trophy could prove a masterstroke for the four-year-old American filly in her expected battle with fellow United States-bred LEGACY ISLE, December’s Mouttet Mile runner-up.

McLean’s seven-pound weight claim takes DIGITAL ONE down to 119lb from 126lb, seven pounds lighter than LEGACY ISLE, while eliminating WALL STREET TRADER sitting level at 119lb in the five-and-half furlong event.

Allowing WALL STREET TRADER six pounds in March, DIGITAL ONE turned back her fellow American, as well as speedy PACK PLAYS, showing vast improvement at five furlongs round to complete a hat-trick of wins.

PACK PLAYS emerged from that third-place run behind DIGITAL ONE and WALL STREET TRADER to wire LEGACY ISLE at six and a half furlongs on April 19 after the Mouttet Mile runner-up made a mockery of overnight-allowance runners at five furlongs round a month earlier.

LEGACY ISLE returned May 31 to easily beat run-on sprinter CHAMPION BUBBLER and middle-distance pacer MAHOGANY at five furlongs straight, clocking a fabulous 57.2, a performance which could signal that he’s back to peak form.

However, LEGACY ISLE’s gate-to-wire victory must be measured against the quality of opposition and a favourable trip. CHAMPION BUBBLER ran her usual race, closing from off the pace to overhaul MAHOGANY for second, neither posing a speed threat to LEGACY ISLE.

Facing DIGITAL ONE and WALL STREET TRADER, topweight LEGACY ISLE could be in problems on the round course against matching speed.

DIGITAL ONE lost a cracker in a three-way photo won by TIZ TOK, who closed fast to beat her by a half-length in the June 7 Eros Trophy at seven furlongs. In a game effort, DIGITAL ONE repelled WALL STREET TRADER for six furlongs, rallying when headed a furlong out, only for TIZ TOK to deliver a drive-by close home.

Ripping splits of 34.1, 46.1, 58.2 and 1:11.3, DIGITAL ONE was seven pounds lighter than WALL STREET TRADER with whom she now sits level, a weight swing which should keep the four-year-old filly ahead of her six-year-old rival.

LEGACY ISLE’s Mouttet Mile run, caught at the wire by INTRESTINGTIMESAHEAD, is six-month-old history whereas DIGITAL ONE’s form is current, making the filly the horse to beat with a seven-pound advantage.