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Last year's winner First Command will face a slick field of summer sprinters when he goes for a double in the $100,000 Listed Doveton Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Anthony Freedman-trained speedster will carry the top weight of 59kg as he attempts to claim a fourth black type success at his favourite track.
Classy mare Cats Pyjamas, a winner at the track and distance in December, and last Saturday's Group 3 Standish Handicap runner-up Cascabel are serious rivals for First Command.
Classy South Australian sprinter Stirling Grove will make the trip across the border while veteran galloper Chasm and the honest Second Effort add more depth to the field.
Rescue Mission, one of Freedman's promising young sprinters, heads the weights for the John Moule Handicap (1100m) for the three-year-olds.
The Darci Brahma gelding has to carry 57kg after boom apprentice Jake Duffy's claim as he returns to the scene of his Boxing Day success where he led throughout to post a narrow yet impressive victory.
Mick Price's lightly raced filly Empress Cleo, a winner over Rescue Mission last month, is a leading chance again while Mark Kavanagh will front up with well bred colt Gonna Be A Rokstar.
The Thomas North Plate (1100m) for the juveniles with see leading trainers Robert Hickmott, Anthony Freedman and Mick Price unleash first starters against the smart Dispatch, who put the score on the board last month with an impressive Sandown victory.