Son of a gun eyes maiden Group 1

1 year ago

Beau Mertens is hoping classy mare Divine Quality can hand him his first Group 1 success in Saturday's Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

In addition to a couple of G2 triumphs, Mertens has three minor placings to his credit.

Speaking to SEN.com.au on Wednesday, the 21-year-old said he's determined to get the monkey off his back.

"I've had a few placings in G1s now, so I'm ready to crack one and get that title of being a G1-winning jockey," Mertens said.

Trained by Robbie Griffiths, Divine Quality was a brilliant winner of the Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on November 3 when first-up.

That was a breathtaking win by Divine Quality. Check out the aerial view. It'll blow you away! pic.twitter.com/uyNvEhJeba

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 3, 2018

The Sepoy mare, who resumes from a spell in the Lightning (1000m), boasts a brilliant fresh record of three wins and a second from four starts.

"Her run on Derby day massive and if she can bring that run on Saturday I think she's right in there with a good chance," said Mertens, whose father Peter was a successful jockey, winning seven G1s.

"She doesn’t really miss a beat fresh.

"By all reports, she's going very well, and she trialled nicely at Cranbourne (on February 4)".

Divine Quality is a $26 chance with Sportsbet, with Tony McEvoy's Coolmore Stud Stakes heroine Sunlight favourite at $4.

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