Speedy tag team targets Of a Revolution

Never short of runners to do a hatchet job on rivals, Jason DaCosta looks set to add Saturday’s six-furlong None Such Trophy to his collection, entering the tag team of CALIFORNIA CROWN and American DOTHRAKI against Anthony Nunes’ topweight OF A REVOLUTION.

Though Nunes has summoned claiming rider Eric Haughton to take OF A REVOLUTION down to 117lb, DaCosta’s pair will each carry 109lb, with Abigail Able aboard the expected pacesetter CALIFORNIA CROWN and Shaheem Gordon astride DOTHRAKI after making the weight on Emancipation Day.

A grade-one winner in last year’s Bruceontheloose when making his local debut as a six-year-old shipper on Mouttet Mile Day, OF A REVOLUTION has won only once in six subsequent starts. That victory came in March when, fitted with a visor, he beat local-breds ZULU WARRIOR and MONEY MARKET over five and a half furlongs in 1:07.0.

Returning more than three months later under topweight 126lb, OF A REVOLUTION was outbattled by stablemate and fellow American SIR DON while attempting to steal home over five and a half furlongs. After seeing off PACK PLAYS and WALL STREET TRADER, he went down by a length in a much faster 1:05.2.

Stretched out in the Diamond Mile without the visor three weeks ago, OF A REVOLUTION failed to click, but is sure to return fully fired-up for the None Such Sprint.

However, seeing off DaCosta’s tag team will be no easy feat while conceding 8lb to either rival in what shapes as a six-furlong relay. The pair employed similar tactics on August 1, nullifying DESERT OF MALIBU over five and a half furlongs, with DOTHRAKI stalking the pace before outfinishing rail-running RAINSVILLE.

DOTHRAKI has never been lighter than the 120lb with which he clocked 1:05.0 when beating RAINSVILLE. CALIFORNIA CROWN carried 116lb and still managed splits of 23.0, 34.0, 46.1 and 58.3 before being overhauled by DOTHRAKI.

The sustained attack should prove too much for OF A REVOLUTION, similar to how DaCosta orchestrated LONDON SPIRIT’s Jamaica Derby triumph. He sent out EYE OF A TIGER and BIGGER BOSS, forcing St Leger winner WE JAMMIN off his bridle two furlongs sooner than his stamina allowed.