Australia: Heavy turf a concern for expat Arriva Diva

Arriva Diva had two starts at Ellis Park in 2019 as a 3-year-old, finishing seventh and sixth in maiden races. That was the last she would see of the United States.

Sent to Australia, Arriva Diva, by Curlin, has won 4 of 11 starts, with all the victories in longer sprint distances.

A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred, Arriva Diva will have her second start of 2022 in a seven-furlong handicap for fillies and mares at Sale Racecourse across American time zones on Saturday evening.

Trained by the powerful stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Arriva Diva was seventh in a field of eight in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares on a heavy turf course at Cranbourne on June 22, her first start since December. Jockey Matthew Chadwick told Cranbourne stewards that Arriva Diva struggled on the surface.

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Arriva Diva has won on heavy turf and could have those conditions at Sale where she figures to race from off the pace. The race drew a field of eight, including Sacred Lass, who won her most recent race in February, and Puckapunyal and Sister Vianney, who were third and fourth in their last appearances.

Sacred Lass raced at 1 1/4 miles earlier this year. This shorter trip will be a test for a 6-year-old mare who has won 4 of 20 starts, but never at a distance of less than a mile.

Puckapunyal has won 2 of 5 starts at seven furlongs and figures to be near the front, along with Brookline, who won consecutive races at seven furlongs in May and June. Brookline was only eighth of 11 after a wide trip in the Rivette Series Stakes at seven furlongs at Flemington on July 2.

Sister Vianney won consecutive sprints last December and January and was fourth in her only subsequent start in a six-furlong handicap for 3-year-old fillies at Caulfield on July 23. Sister Vianney closed from 11th of 13 to be closest at the finish and should benefit from a slightly longer sprint at Sale.

Sale has an eight-race program beginning at 10:35 p.m. Eastern or 7:35 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.