Shaun O’Donnell big push for Too Dardy

Shaun O’Donnell is excited about the future of Too Dardy and in a solid push has declared the gelding to be his best ride at Belmont Park on Saturday.

O’Donnell believes Too Dardy, who has one win and two placings from four starts, has the makings of a good horse and he’s keen to be part of his progress.

O’Donnell goes into the Amelia Park Handicap (1000m) high in confidence after Too Dardy fell just short of claiming the unbeaten Berbere.

Too Dardy ran second, but lost no admirers in defeat, flashing late after powering home from a wide draw and encountering traffic problems in the straight.

Too Dardy, trained by Justine Erkelens and Berbere, from the Grant and Alana Williams camp, renew hostilities for the second time in a fortnight.

Too Dardy meets Berbere 1kg better and from a better barrier position, O’Donnell believes the promising three-year-old can turn the tables.

“I’m very happy to be on my bloke,” O’Donnell said on Tabradio.

“I’ve drawn a hell of a better gate and obviously the weight difference.

“He ran a good race (last start), but we had to ride him back from the barrier.

“I got held up for a couple of strides before I got outside of Berbere.

“But I really like this bloke and he’s got all the right attributes to go through his classes and be a better horse later on in his life.

“I give him a really good chance and think he’s by best ride tomorrow (Saturday).”

Too Dardy has drawn barrier two and is the current $3.20 favourite with Tabtouch.

Berbere has gate eight of 10 and will be ridden by William Pike.

The Gingerbread Man gelding is on the second line of betting at $3.70.

In the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m), O’Donnell has been booked to ride I Love Your Smile.

The Sebring filly won two in a row before finishing a distant third in a 2100m handicap last week.

The Lucy Fiore-trained three-year-old is rated a $23 chance.

O’Donnell won the 2010 Belmont Guineas on Mighty Rossa.