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By Tony Meaghey

Canberra trainer Norm Gardner believes his highly consistent mare Destructive Diva has an excellent chance of toppling the favourites in Saturday's $120,000 Oran Park Highway (1000m) at Royal Randwick.

The mare has firmed from $51 to $34 on TAB but its not Norm's cash: "I haven't had a bet in 20 years so it wasn't me!

"In saying that, she was probably over the odds at that price as she is going super."

Mathew Cahill scores aboard the 'Diva' at Goulburn. Image by Bradley Photographers

Destructive Diva has only raced 13 times for three wins and five placings along with a couple of fourths so she is rarely far from the money.

Three starts back the mare covered plenty of ground but kept coming to score at Moruya (1425m) prior to running fourth at Albury (1500m).

"She got into a bumping duel halfway down the straight at Albury so the run was better than it looks on paper," Norm explained.

Last start Destructive Diva came home strongly when beaten just half a length by Cable Express and Direct Fire in the Wagga Guineas Prelude (1400m) on 21 April.

The form coming from that race is outstanding with the first two horses since winning in the city.

"It was an excellent effort at Wagga and we later found she had chipped a bone in her knee which had to be removed, which is why she hasn't raced since then," Norm said.

"She trialled well the other day at Canberra and has had a jump out so I'm really happy with how she's going.

"The 1000m on Saturday may be a bit short of her best and she'll be setttling midfield but I do know if they go hard, she will be rattling home late.

"She's a good, consistent mare who is going really well and from the barrier [two] she should get a nice run, but may just need a touch of luck down the straight."

Tom Sherry will be aboard the four-year-old with the current TAB favourite Duke of Bronte ($2.60) with Tim Clark to ride for Keith Dryden.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here