The adage about mares in form is certainly in play at the Robert Smerdon stable now.
Smerdon has prepared eight winners from his last 25 starters at an average price of $5 with the stable's female brigade proving all those wins.
Smerdon's fillies and mares have given the stable six city successes in that period and the Caulfield trainer will chase another with Dulverton in the Fillies and Mares' BM84 Handicap (1700m) at Flemington.
"I think it's about identifying the horse as being ready to go and in the right races and they hit their mark," Smerdon said.
"And you can get a mare in form, Lovani has won a couple and Dulverton has won a couple, and find the right races for them."
Smerdon also nominated the daughter of Commands for the 1600m open handicap but will stick with his usual modus operandi of dropping to the easier race with Dulverton.
"I put her in the other race and would like to accept in both and have a look at them but we don't have the option to do that here but I think she'll run in the mares' race," Smerdon said.
"We look at harder races with them but if that doesn't stack up, we'll keep them to where they have been effective in the past."
Dulverton came from last at the 400m when surging to victory in a BM84 race at Flemington at her last run on July 22 but the five-year-old will step up to 1700m for Saturday's assignment with apprentice Brandon Stockdale again in the saddle.
"She quickened down well last start. It was as good as I've ever seen her go," Smerdon said.
"That's about her trip the 1600 or 1700m.
"She's got the weight advantage and Brandon can ride her again and take the 3kg off."
