Small fields can throw up strange results and the connections of Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) will be hoping for one on Saturday.
Mark Twain is the $101 outsider in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday where he tackles five opponents who are all Group One winners.
Since 2000, there have been eight horses win at double figure odds including Gatting (Hard Spun) at $101 in 2019, Littorio (Bellotto) ($41) in 2011 and Hugs Dancer (Cadeaux Genereux) ($26) in 2004.
Mark Twain’s main claim to fame was his victory in last year’s Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington, a race that earned him a ballot exemption for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Unfortunately, a tendon injury robbed him of that chance, but the stayer is back looking for a second chance to line up in this year’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 4.
The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained galloper ran last over 1200m in New Zealand on August 9 at his first run since the Roy Higgins win last year and made his way to Australia where he was due to run in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
But after dropping jockey Jamie Mott shortly after leaving the saddling enclosure, Mark Twain was a late scratching from that engagement.
“He dropped me on the way to the barriers,” Mott said.
“Unfortunately, I had to let him go because he was about to stand all over the top of me and he had a bit of a canter around for a couple of laps.
“There are only six runners on Saturday so, instead of a gallop, he’ll get more out of a race, but he’s probably not up to winning that race.”
Mott had hoped to get a feel of Mark Twain under race conditions with hope of sticking with the stayer as the races get longer.
But Mott said Mark Twain needs to get his rating up to get closer to the weight he can ride at.
“I was literally on him for four seconds the other day, so I didn’t get to have much of a feel of him but he’s a nice horse and we’ll see what he can do on Saturday,” Mott said.
“If he can get a bit more weight in those big races, he’s one I’d like to ride.
“Hopefully he won’t get run off his legs on Saturday and then I think the plan is to back him up in the Naturalism (at Caulfield) the week after.
“Roger is a great trainer, and he really likes the horse, so hopefully he’s got him on track.
“We need to get a win to get his rating up to get my weight.”