The leading contenders for the QLD Derby to be run in a fortnight’s time, will have their final hit-out in Saturday’s Group 2 Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben. Not surprisingly, the quinella from last fortnight’s Rough Habit Plate, Amexed and New Zealand filly Telepathic, head the market at $4.00 and $4.40 respectively. In the past two years, the winner of the Rough Habit has not only gone on to win this race but also the Group 1 Derby with Brambles (2012) and Hawkspur (2013) completing the treble. Another New Zealand horse Glorious Lad, who ran third in the Rough Habit, is well in contention at $6.50 with local hope Rudy and developing Darley stayer Auberge, the other two runners in the field currently under double figures odds at $9.00.
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1. VILANOVA – N Rawiller (15)
He ran a typically teasing third two starts back in a BM 95 at Warwick Farm behind Destiny’s Kiss before pinching runs along the fence from a mid-field position in the G3 Rough Habit a fortnight ago, and joining the leaders at the 200m. He couldn’t match the finishing efforts of Amexed and Telepathic, both coming down the centre of the track, and finished fourth (2.2 lengths). The Commands 3yo won’t find this any easier, particularly from the widest gate, and still only has the two wins from his twenty-one starts.
2. RUDY – J Bowman (1)
He couldn’t quite reel in Hopfgarten two starts back in the Gunsynd Classic when third (1.4 lengths) before a tremendous effort in last fortnight’s G3 Rough Habit (2000m), finishing fifth (3.2 lengths) to Amexed. The Red Dazzler gelding was caught midfield with no cover for the majority of the race before sliding forward to join the leaders as they turned. It was only the final stages of the races that the tough run took its toll. He’ll get a much sweeter run from the inside gate, has the services of Bowman and rates a legitimate chance.
3. GLORIOUS LAD – T Angland (5)
New Zealand galloper who contested the G3 Rough Habit (2000m) last fortnight, and found himself in a bumping duel on the turn as he was trying to force a run. He pushed through to join the leaders at the furlong but Amexed and Telepathic had the momentum wider out and he finished third behind that pair, 1.7 lengths away. The Falkirk gelding is drawn to get a nice run here and sure to be in the mix again.
4. AMEXED – M Rodd (3)
From the very much in-form Tony Gollan stable, this Pentire gelding broke his maiden status with a strong 3 ½ length win in a Sunshine Coast Maiden two starts back, before taking a big step up in grade and contesting the G3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m). A tremendous ride by Michael Rodd saw the horse settle mid-field on the fence and from the 600m, easing off the rails and securing a lovely track into the straight. When asked for his effort, he let down well and held Telepathic on the line by a long neck. Can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be able to produce a similar effort here.
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5. BRING BACK – G Boss (2)
Made it two wins from three starts this prep with a head victory at Caulfield three weeks ago over the unlucky Lady Tatia in Open 3yo 2000m race. That was his first attempt beyond 1600m and the Sebring gelding will be better for the outing and experience. Improving type but this is a step up again on recent outings.
6. PINTSTRIPE LANE – D Oliver (13)
The Pins colt has had three well spaced runs this time in with the most recent, over 1900m and on a dry track, resulting in an impressive two length victory in a BM 75 at Rosehill. He ran fourth to VRC Derby winner Polanski and third behind Savvy Nature last campaign at Listed and Group 2 level respectively, and his last start win suggests he is nearing a return to that form which will be good enough to see him win here.
7. TAKEWING – SCRATCHED
8. COLONEL CARRERA – R Hutchings (7)
The Graeme Rogerson trained galloper ran a neck second to Puccini in the G2 Waikato Guineas before failing in both the G2 Avondale Cup and G1 NZ Derby – also won by Puccini. He was given a freshen up after the Derby and has been prepped for his first Australian run with a win, only the second of his career, in a 1400m race on a heavy track, against four competitor in NZ. The Duelled gelding has shown brief glimpses of ability in the past but hard to take with any confidence off a light prep.
9. AUBERGE – K McEvoy (8)
Darley runner who broke his maiden status at his most recent outing, his eighth career start, with an emphatic 7 ½ length win in a Class 1 at Kembla Grange over 2400m. Had been building up to that win at his previous starts and relished the big track and long trip. Although he rises significantly in class here, best to follow the stables lead in bringing him up to QLD for a race like this after such a dominate win and keep him safe.
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10. METEOROLOGIST – J Byrne (6)
Has had two starts this prep, first up over a mile and then an 1800m Sunshine Coast Open race, which the son of Northern Meteor took at by 1 ¾ lengths. That was his second win from fourteen starts but hard to see him making a race of this quality, his third.
11. ARKI – D Browne (12)
Bolted in first up on the Gold Coast to win a maiden by 2 ¾ lengths before producing a better effort at his following start, an Ipswich Class 1 (1666m), which he won by 5 ¾ lengths. In such form his trainer, Kelly Doughty, entered the Aussie Rules gelding for the G3 Rough Habit Plate. He draw awkwardly in gate three and had little luck in the run home, having to wait for a run on the turn before appearing to stumble. His effort to run seventh (4.2 lengths) behind Amexed, given the run he had and the strep in class he was taking, was a commendable one. Could run better than his current quote of $26 would suggest.
12. ALL HOST – P Holmes (4)
Has won two of his last three starts – a Gold Coast Maiden and a Ipswich Class 1 – but not in a manner that would suggest he is now capable of taking out a Group 2 race.
13. ROCK SCENT – M Cahill (11)
Broke his maiden status three starts back, winning a Sunshine Coast Maiden (1400m) on a slow track but the two subsequent runs by the Fastnet Rock gelding, will have him starting a big price in this race. He finished fifth in a Class 4 at Eagle Farm before, at his most recent start, not making an impression from the tail of the field in the G3 Rough Habit and finishing eleventh, seven lengths from Amexed.
14. TELEPATHIC – M Du Plessis (14)
Smart New Zealand filly who is yet to run a bad race in her seven starts. After winning both starts this prep at home, she came to Australia and contested the G3 Rough Habit (2000m) a fortnight ago as the 7/2 second favourite. She followed eventual winner Amexed home from the 600m in the Rough Habit but failed by a long neck to reel him in, finishing second. That was her first run at 2000m and she was jumping up from a mile so expect improvement to come from it but has drawn horribly and will be giving them a start.
15. ROSEY JEAN – R McMahon (9)
Lined up as a 100/1 shot in last week’s G2 The Roses after coming off wins in a Sunshine Coast Class 1 and Ipswich Class 2 and whilst she exceeded expectations by running fifth (4.7 lengths) behind Arabian Gold, this race will be no easier.
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RACE OVERVIEW
The Rough Habit quinella of Amexed and Telepathic head the market here but think the third horse in that race, Glorious Lad, might be able to turn the tables here. He’s drawn lovely in gate three and Angland should be able to position him to advantage from the jump. The buffeting on the turn last start wasn’t ideal and with a smoother run here, is capable of making up the margin of 1 ¾ lengths. Amexed was simply too good for his rivals last week and is still improving. Rodd will need to navigate a path again from gate three as he may not be able to hold that position early but as he demonstrated last start, only needs the opportunity to figure. Pinstripe Lane was impressive last start and whilst this is a step up in grade, he has performed well in quality races previously and looks ripe for this. Telepathic may just have too much work to do in the run from her wide gate but will be getting home regardless.
- GLORIOUS LAD
- AMEXED
- PINSTRIPE LANE
- TELEPATHIC
