Doyle banking on sharper start from Mercy Me in search for stakes return

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle is counting on a better start from Mercy Me at Rosehill on Saturday as he looks for a launching pad to take her back to stakes grade.

Mercy Me, a $4 equal favourite for the ninth on Saturday, an 1100m benchmark 78 handicap for fillies and mares, has raced at Rosehill both times this preparation, finishing third and fourth in the same grade and trip.

The four-year-old was three-quarters of a length away first-up after leading but then finished two lengths off the winner last time out when coming down the outside from near last on the turn.

Doyle hoped for a return to Mercy Me’s front-running ways on Saturday from gate four. Tim Clark takes over from Regan Bayliss in the saddle.

“She’s been going super, but she missed the kick last start, which is not OK, because she’s normally on speed and quick on the corner, which is her best asset,” Doyle said.

“There was still plenty of merit in her run, coming back from last. She was in last week, but she drew 10 and we felt there was a lot of speed underneath her, and we ended up winning the race anyway [with Better Late at Randwick], so it’s probably a good thing we scratched her.

“I thought the fillies and mares race this week sets up well, especially around Rosehill with her.”

Mercy Me, a daughter of Hellbent, was a nose away second to Miss Freelove in the listed Denise’s Joy at Scone in May, and Doyle hoped to have another crack at black-type level.

“We’ll get through Saturday first and then see if there’s something around for her in fillies and mares grade maybe down in Victoria,” he said.

Doyle also has Shotgun Bella ($10) in the market at Rosehill, in the fifth, a benchmark 78 over 1400m. The Scone Country Cup winner was fourth first up on the Kensington track but has drawn well in five on Saturday with Kerrin McEvoy to ride.

“She just drew a bit awkward last week,” he said.

“She needs to position up on speed and she worked up super Tuesday morning, so she’s going really well.

“She’s been consistent with placings and she’s probably deserving of a Saturday win, and it’s probably her right time.

“We delayed it a bit, she sort of comes and goes, and she’ll race over the next couple of months and be very competitive. Hopefully we can get a city win.”

Duvana appeared the least likely contender of Doyle’s trio at Rosehill, but the trainer was confident the five-year-old was ready to challenge in race two, the 1300m Midway handicap.

The $21 chance was last and second last in Saturday city grade in his final runs last preparation.

“He’s come back great this preparation,” he said.

“I wouldn’t read much into his two runs at the back end of the last prep, we just hit the reset button, gave him two quiet trials on the bridle. He’s done nothing and is really in a good spot physically and mentally, so I think he’s returning for a good campaign as well over that off-season period in the summer time.

“I reckon he’s ready to go. He’s pretty sharp within himself and 1300 is a beautiful starting point. It’s a good time of the year for all three, especially Shotgun Bella and Duvana.”