At the prices, we felt Derryn represented terrific value to gives the Hayes-Dabernig team an inaugural win in the Stradbroke (Race 8).
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We’re prepared to overlook his run in the DKS Cup and instead felt his fast-finishing third in the Doomben 10,000 was a pretty good pointer towards his chances.
We’ve been unabashed fans of this horse from day one and the booking of Craig Williams for the ride only enhances our confidence that he will fight out the finish.
This race has also eluded Chris Waller thus far but he will be represented by three legitimate chances with Mackintosh set to tackle this after a prominent showing at last year’s Brisbane carnival.
Sent to the paddock after a disappointing run in the Kingston Town Classic, the horse has had the benefit of three trial runs and will wear blinkers for the first time.
It’s also worth noting that this fella has one both first-up starts to date, a record that includes a strong effort over stablemate Counterattack in the Theo Marks Stakes last year.
A perennial bridesmaid, Counterattack has acquitted himself well in both the Doomben 10,000 and DKS Cup but odds around the 8.00 mark don’t hold terrific appeal in this field.
Good Project, meanwhile, is a horse we have always had a decent opinion of and we are interested to see if there is any market support for him as he, too, tackles this fresh.
A Stradbroke win would be a fairytale result for small-time Cranbourne trainer Mick Bell, whose horse Jungle Edge backed up his BRC Sprint win with another gutsy showing behind Clearly Innocent.
Bell was outspoken in his criticism of the decision to move the race and good on him for having the integrity to air his beliefs.
Hard to get away from the fact that this horse is winless in ten starts on good tracks but we suspect he’ll give a really good account of himself again.
Of the others, Weir will saddle up (hopefully correctly) both Ullman and winning machine Burning Front,who drops back to the 1350m after another tough win in the RA Lee Stakes in Adelaide.
While Gold Symphony is consistent and looks the best of the roughies.
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Tips:
1. Derryn
2. Jungle Edge
3. Clearly Innocent
4. Counterattack
