SHE is certainly the diva of Kerry McDowell's stable, but Volando Denario's bad manners are easy for the trainer to forgive when the mare keeps performing.
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This Wednesday at the Bathurst Paceway when Volando Denario goes from barrier one in the Bling It On Pace (1,730 metres), she will be aimed at making it four wins in her last six starts.
Purchased by Colin and Dean McDowell from New Zealand last October as they sought a horse to race during a traditionally quieter time for the stable, Voldano Denario did come with the warning she could be headstrong.
"That was an understatement," the trainer laughed.
"I remember the first time I was taking her out and Colin was in the gig. Well she spun around on a dime - I don't know how Colin didn't get tipped out - then she jammed right up against the fence.
"She's a real rat bag, everywhere we go now she's got a reputation as a very head strong mare, she needs a lot of assistance.
"There's only one way she runs, her pace, her way."
After races the mare is troublesome as well, McDowell saying "she is like a caged lion" which means there is a mad rush to get her out of her gear and settled.
However, the trainer is willing to persevere with the bad manners give the form of the Panspacificflight x Ergo Denario four-year-old. In 16 starts for McDowell, she's only placed outside the top three four times.
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"She's been a great addition to the team, we've had a lot of luck with her," McDowell said.
"When they are winning races and going well, you make it work."
As that sort of record suggests, once she leaves the mobile barrier Volando Denario knows how to turn it on.
Her last start saw her come from sixth on the bell to claim victory at Goulburn, while she clocked a hot 1:53.9 winning mile rate in her second start on Australian soil.
"Lachie Manzelmann has been the one doing most of the driving and he doesn't mind her at all, they have worked out to be a good combination," McDowell said.
"Once she gets racing out of the mobile - she does like to turn around before she starts - but once she;s running she goes alright."
The first of nine races to be staged at the Wednesday twilight meeting will go at 2.55pm.
