Doll facing tough task from draw

HAVING outstayed her rivals to break her maiden, My China Doll will need to produce a similar performance if she is to emerge triumphant again tomorrow night.

Paying the lucrative odds of $34, My China Doll occupied the ‘death seat’ before scoring at Albion Park a fortnight ago.

Due to return to the same venue, My China Doll is set to contest the Changeover Classic in what is a step up on class for the Dale Belford-trained filly.

“She went really well and has been improving with every run,” Belford said. “During her first two runs she was very green so I put some hopple shorteners on to steady her up as she was an eager beaver and it did the job.

“I was thrilled with her last run and her work since, but this will be harder again.”

To Belford’s disappointment, My China Doll has drawn barrier five in the 1660-metre feature.

Faring slightly better, the early favourite, Glitter Strip, will come from gate three.

“It will be very hard from gate five,” Belford said. “Everybody will probably want to lead so we will see how we go from there.

“Hopefully she can get into a good spot with bit of luck and see what happens from there.”

As the breeder and owner of the two-year-old Belford originally hoped to name the daughter of Hurrikane Kingcole in honour of her late sister.

When the name was turned rejected, Belford chose My China Doll in memory of her father, Douglas.

“Sandy is her stable name and I wanted to call her Hurrikane Sandy for my sister, but was told there was a pretty bad hurricane named Sandy and that might upset people,” Belford explained.

“She is a beautiful horse, beautiful natured, and my father would call every one China so went with that as second option.”