Brian Unearths Another Potential Stakes Winner
By Greg Irvine of Cyberhorse 31/08/02

Brilliant Melbourne filly Innovation Girl has drawn the inside barrier for her racetrack return in Adelaide on Saturday.

The high class daughter of the red hot Rubiton is set to start one of the hottest favourites in the history of the Group Three Dermody Stakes when she runs in that race at Cheltenham on the weekend.

A winner of three of her four starts, Innovation Girl has shown she's on track for some riches during the spring by easily winning two recent trials, including one at Werribee earlier this week.

Kerrin McEvoy, who'll ride the filly for the first time on Saturday, was in the saddle in the Werribee trial win and was impressed with her progress.

A former South Australian McEvoy was head hunted for the ride when the filly's trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith decided the Dermody would be her return race.

Under the set weights conditions of the race Innovation Girl will carry just 49 kilograms, some eight and a half kilograms less than the three-year-old males in the race Beach Box, Mighty Raja, Glenwest and Sure Bet.

"The conditions of the race are perfect," Mayfield-Smith said last weekend.

"Getting in at 49 kilograms against restricted aged horses is ideal."

The Dermody Stakes, a 1000 metre dash worth $70,200, is restircted to two and three-year-olds and is Adelaide's final Group race of the season.

Past winners of the race include Be Discreet, Sarason, Subastral, Oenjay Star, Redelva, Furama Nights, Mint of Gold, Clay Hero, Street Ruffian and Eastern Court, while placegetters include Piavonic, Fighter Bay, Zephyr Art, Lockley's Tradition, Leica Show, Schubert and Stand by Me.