DaCosta shuffles deck for top 2-Y-O race

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta has shuffled his deck for Saturday's Supreme Ventures Limited Two-Year-Old Stakes at Caymanas Park, changing jockeys on DREAMLINER and FUTURE KING, hoping to come up with an ace for the $4m event.

DaCosta started the Supreme Ventures Limited Two-Year-Old Series with a bang as DREAMLINER ran on strongly at 1200 metres to land the first leg of the series. His stablemate, FUTURE KING, was touched off for second by Gary Subratie's filly, NUCLEAR AFFAIR.

However, a month later in the Pick-3 Super Challenge, DREAMLINER had the tables turned on him in the 1400-metre Pick-3 Super Challenge by Philip Feanny's filly, SORRENTINO'S STAR, who he had beaten into fourth in the Cash Pot Trophy.

FUTURE KING, however, had improved his placing, finishing second to SORRENTINO'S STAR.

Summarising the Pick-3 Super Challenge, DaCosta said both his horses, DREAMLINER and FUTURE KING, were held too far off the pace and given too much to do in the stretch run.

He is hoping changing riders will make a difference. Omar Walker, who booted home SEEKING MY DREAM in the Jamaica Derby and Diamond Mile for DaCosta, the year's two biggest races, has been called in to replace Richard Mitchell astride DREAMLINER.

Stable rider Robert Halledeen has the leg up aboard FUTURE KING instead of apprentice Linton Steadman.

"DREAMLINER was basically held a little too far off the pace last time, and was unable to make up ground in the straight," DaCosta pointed out.

"Future King was also held too far off and both were caught flat-footed when the pace quickened," he added.

"DREAMLINER is probably the most experienced out of my three runners. He is working well and should get the distance. He has an excellent chance," said the 14-time champion trainer, who also has CUP O TEA in the event.

"CUP O TEA is basically inexperienced, but has good staying ability. She will be coming on.

Though DREAMLINER has been getting the better of FUTURE KING at exercise, DaCosta said those gallops could be deceptive to the untrained eye.

"FUTURE KING was easy in the workouts. When they're pulling up at the round mile, after passing the winning post, he's in front," he pointed out.