Jimmie, STAR Racing Writer

WAYNE DACOSTA's DEO VOLENTE has not lost a claiming event in three tries and should add a fourth, tomorrow's third race at a mile, in which he faces Gary Subratie's down-in-class BOLD AVIATOR.

A relentless middle-distance stalker, DEO VOLENTE relishes top-level claiming company and has also gone close in overnight allowance, finishing a length behind stablemate MR LUVAL last October. That afternoon, DEO VOLENTE beat ROYAL VIBES into third place, completing a DaCosta trifecta.

The six-year-old gelding last won December 27, at 1300 metres, a distance considered a trifle short, but still stormed home to beat PRINCE ANDREW, who had engaged MERU in a duel into the lane.

Claimed that afternoon for $500,000, DEO VOLENTE, as he did on the two other occasions when he had lowered his sights, won and was claimed, has found his way back to the champion trainer's barn.

Therefore, his conditioning has remained spot on. Leading rider Robert Halledeen, who had won aboard him in December, has retained the ride. Halledeen has been astride DEO VOLENTE in four of his last five races, including his brave second among overnight allowance runners.

BOLD AVIATOR races without a claim tag, hunting a quick double after beating MISS JUANTA at 1400 metres on February 7. The chestnut gelding is edging back to full fitness but has never raced outside restricted company.

Going up against seasoned DEO VOLENTE, who has faced multiple winners at varying distances and pace, BOLD AVIATOR will have to show vast improvement to outfinish DaCosta's runner.

DEO VOLENTE made up numbers on his last outing, January 7, behind out-of-class FRANFIELD, an overnight allowance event, but still clocked 1:40.2.

MERU will try making all but could have JACK DE CHARMER for company, setting it up for DEO VOLENTE and BOLD AVIATOR's late charge.

The nine-race midweek card could be tricky as form is inconsistent in most of the races. However, Richard Azan's KRONUS is tipped to get off the mark in the fourth event after being run off his legs by the classy filly WAHEED NAJMAH on last.

Take nothing away from WAHEED NAJMAH, she placed second to impressive PUDDY POOH in last Wednesday's Hot Line Stakes, her second start, battling to the end after disputing fast splits.

no match

KRONUS was no match for her in a 1200-metre sprint but will be more comfortable at 1700 metres in a relaxed pace.

His first two efforts, his best to date, were from off the pace against better horses than SUPERLUMINAL, who has excited the railbirds on a fast exercise track.