Girvano, Barnaby go head-to-head for Mouttet Mile points

The battle for Mouttet Mile points continues in Saturday’s Seeking My Dream Trophy at seven and a half furlongs, a grade-one event worth 60 points to the winner.

As at last Saturday, the top six Mouttet Mile spots were occupied by United States-bred runners, led by defending champion RIDEALLDAY, who won the first win-and-you’re-in race, April’s Ian Levy Cup.

RIDEALLDAY has 100 points earned from his win-and-you’re-in, followed by PACK PLAYS, who amassed 150 points from three early season races.

A trio of hopefuls, including two facing the starter in the Seeking My Dream —BARNABY and GIRVANO — are locked on 110 points along with OF A REVOLUTION, last year’s Bruceontheloose Sprint winner.

BARNABY and GIRVANO are joined in the Seeking My Dream by their stablemates, making the race an Anthony Nunes-Jason DaCosta showdown. Nunes has thrown in sprinter-stayer NEO STAR to ensure an honest pace for BARNABY.

DaCosta has similarly entered CALIFORNIA CROWN to run NEO STAR off the headline, hoping to set up his stalkers, GIRVANO and 2024 Mouttet Mile winner FUNCAANDUN, both of whom BARNABY had behind in his last two races, notably the Ian Levy Cup, which was won in track-record time by RIDEALLDAY beating SUPERNATURAL POWER at eight and a half furlongs.

However, the reduced trip of the Seeking My Dream hands DaCosta’s pair, GIRVANO and FUNCAANDUN, a lifeline against back-to-form BARNABY, who won his last race by an impressive six lengths but at nine furlongs and 25 yards. 

Cutting back to seven and a half furlongs with what could be breakneck splits being set by sprinter CALIFORNIA CROWN, BARNABY is at risk of being caught flat-footed, asked to do too much too early, allowing lightweight GIRVANO at least 11lb.

Whereas DaCosta has retained FUNCAANDUN’s favourite rider, Robert Halledeen, at topweight 126lb, he has summoned Jaheim Anderson to claim every ounce astride GIRVANO, who will run with 106lb.

Though GIRVANO was comprehensively beaten by BARNABY at nine furlongs and 25 yards, the pendulum should swing in the next direction, considering weight and distance in the Seeking my Dream, not to mention the tag team being sent to post by DaCosta.