Trainer Chris Waller will be hoping Vilanova can deliver him his second successive Queensland Derby after Hawkspur’s took at the race last year. View our 2014 Queensland Derby Tips.
Like Hawkspur, Vilanova was an impressive winner of the G3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) in his final hit-out for the Derby. After drawing gate 15, Vilanova’s price eased out to $4.60 where he sits alongside of Pinstripe Lane, who ran second in the Grand Prix Stakes, with the pair holding favouritism just in advance of Elusive Runner ($5.00) Elusive Runner is trained by Warwick Farm conditioner John Sargent and if successful, will give Sargent his second classic victory this season after Kirramosa claimed the VRC Oaks during the spring.
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1. AMEXED – M Rodd (11)
Rodd gave this a son of Pentire a gem of a ride when he scored a long neck win in the G3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) two starts back and then again when he had every chance in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m). Will find it hard to secure such a nice run here from gate eleven and would’ve liked to have seen him at least place after last weeks’ run.
2. VILANOVA – N Rawiller (15)
Had the G3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) won a long way out from home last start. He dropped out to the tail of the field but leaving the 600m, starting circling the field and chimed in soon after straightening to win by 3 ½ lengths. That was him at his best and a repeat performance puts him clearly on top for this race however, doesn’t always produce his best as his strike rate of three wins from twenty-two starts suggests.
3. RUDY – J Bowman (20)
Helen Page has this Red Dazzler (sire of the Oaks winner Tinto) going very well at the minute. From a wide draw he was posted deep without cover for most of the G3 Rough Habit (2000m) but fought on very well to run fifth (3.4 lengths) behind Amexed before drawing the inside gate in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes, where he again had little luck in the run home after being buried back on the fence. Had to check off heels at the 200m and once balanced and clear, finished well to claim third (3.6 lengths) behind Vilanova. Will got no favours again after drawing gate 20 but shouldn’t be dismissed on this factor only at the good each way price of $15.00.
4. PINSTRIPE LANE – D Oliver (6)
Came to Queensland after a convincing two length win in a BM 75 (1900m) at Rosehill and ran a great second (3.5 lengths) to Vilanova in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes. The Pins colt drew 12 in the field of fourteen and had to get back in the run. As the field straightened, he had nowhere to go and it wasn’t until they were inside of the last furlong that he got clear. When the run finally came, he stretched out in pleasing style, hitting the line as though he’ll relish the 2400m. Drawn much better here, Oliver onboard and will prove very hard to hold out.
5. HAPPY AS HELL – D Dunn (12)
Carried 58kgs two starts back in a 3yo Open (2000m) race at Caulfield but never threatened from the back of the field when eleventh (8.3 lengths) behind Sonntag before a much better effort last weekend at Sandown. The Terry and Karina O’Sullivan trained runner made steady ground in the run home to finish third in the BM 90 (2400m) behind St. Jean and Sacred Flyer. Not a bad effort against the older horses last start and respect the stable’s decision after that, to make the trip north.
6. BRING BACK – G Boss (3)
Saved a stack of ground two starts back by sticking to the fence on the slow track when narrowly winning a 3yo Open (2000m) at Caulfield before being well accounted for in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) a fortnight ago. As he did last start, he has drawn an inside gate again and Boss is sticking with him but needed to see much more from him in the Grand Prix before he could be considered among the selections here.
7. SONNTAG – C Schofield (7)
Improving type by Teofilo who made it two wins from four starts this campaign with a solid 1 ½ length win in a Caulfield 3yo Open (2000m) event three weeks ago where he took up a forward position in the run and was strong late. Showing all the right credentials to go on and win a handy race but one of this quality at this stage of his career, may be a too soon.
8. OUTSTRIP – B Stewart (6)
At start number sixteen, two runs back, the Outback Prince gelding finally cracked his maiden status with a 1 ¼ length at Ipswich in a 3yo Open (2150m) on a heavy track. The Brad Hearne trained runner returned to the same venue, trip and grade, to run second to Execute At Dawn who was well beaten in last week’s G1 Oaks, at his most recent start. Might be aiming too high here.
9. TAKEWING – B Shinn (2)
Bucked at the start and was always behind the eight-ball in a BM 75 (1900m) at Rosehill two starts back when finishing eleventh of thirteen and close to seven lengths from winner, Pinstripe Lane. The Sebring colt then trialled to Steward’s satisfaction before finishing seventh in a BM 73 (2000m) a fortnight ago at Randwick behind Off The Rails. Settled back in the run, cut the corner and didn’t have a great deal of room in the run home last start but faces a stiff rise in class here.
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10. COLONEL CARRERA – (19)
Recorded his second career win, at start number fourteen, when successful in an Open 1400m in New Zealand, his first run in ten weeks. The Duelled gelding, trained by Graham Rogerson, was then shipped to Australia for the G3 Grand Prix (2200m) where not unexpectedly, he finished a well beaten twelfth, close to ten lengths from the winner Vilanova. Won’t find this any easier especially from gate 19.
11. ELUSIVE RUNNER – T Berry (1)
Started odds-on and was an impressive winner of Goulburn Maiden three starts back, finishing hard from the tail of the field to claim the 1600m race before heading to town and running second to Pinstripe Lane in a BM 75 (1900m). The Encosta De Lago gelding then contested a BM 75 (2000m) at Randwick where he started the 13/4 favourite and had punters worried as before the turn, he was be scrubbed along. He pulled wide in the straight and really started to wind up the last 100m to get within a half-length of winner Off The Rails. Big runs the last two and showing plenty of promise. The step up to 2400m is ideal and rates highly.
12. POP’n’SCOTCH – R Wiggins (13)
A Husson gelding who has won two of his last four starts including his most recent outing, a 2220m 3yo Open race at a recent midweek Doomben meeting. Came from a long way back to record a head win over Deckhand and his efforts now that he is racing beyond a mile have been solid. Solid enough to win a Derby? Probably not.
13. OUR UNCLE ARCHIE – D Browne (17)
Trained by Warwick Farm conditioner Steve Englebrecht, this Duke Of Marmalade has been racing well on the provincial circuits, winning two of his past three but was found wanting when he came to town for his most recent start and finished ninth (3.7 lengths) behind Off The Rails and Elusive Runner in a BM 73 (2000m) last start. Dour type who has drawn wide here and likely to struggle.
14. METEOROLOGIST – J Byrne (18)
After struggling in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes two starts back, where he finished eleventh and close to ten lengths from the winner, the Northern Meteor gelding returned his home track on the Gold Coast and won an 1800m 3yo Open race. That was his third win from sixteen starts but a return to the top grade will more than likely find him out again.
15. AUBERGE – K McEvoy (8)
The Darley runner was given half a chance in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes after he won a Kembla Grange Maiden (2400m) by 7 ½ lengths. The son of Street Cry settled last in the field of fourteen and closed steadily finding runs through the field to finish sixth (5.7 lengths) behind Vilanova. He looks a dead-set stayer who will appreciate another furlong and the bigger Eagle Farm track but needed to see him finish closer again last start.
16. ROCK DIVA – Z Purton (14)
Smart NZ filly who, at her first run in ten weeks, ran a tremendous sixth (4 ¾ lengths) in the G2 The Roses (2000m) where after drawing wide, she made up a significant amount of ground from the back of the field. The daughter of Lucky Unicorn then drew poorly as well (widest gate in a field of 18) in last week’s G1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) but again, made up a tremendous amount of ground in the straight to claim fourth (3 lengths) behind Tinto. Only a slightly better draw for this race but will let more than most of the boys know she’s in the race.
17. TELEPATHIC – M Du Plessis (16)
Another NZ filly that, after winning both her runs back from a spell, crossed the Tasman and lined up one of the favourites in the G3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m). The Donna Logan trained runner (trainer of ATC Oaks winner Rising Romance this season), then contested the G3 Grand Prix Stakes where she draw the second to widest gate in a field of fourteen. She was caught deep around the tighter Doomben circuit and battled on well for fifth (5.5 lengths) behind Vilanova. No luck with the gates here either but with any luck in the run, could claim a place.
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18. GRANADOS – (10)
Started 6/4 favourite three starts back in an Eagle Farm Maiden (2242m) and rounded up his competition in good style form the back of the field, winning by 1 ¾ lengths. The Toby Edmonds galloper has closed well in a two runs since to finish fourth (4.1 lengths) behind Execute At Dawn at Ipswich and placing second (long neck) to Meteorologist last week on the Gold Coast. Going well for weaker races than this.
19. LEVER LEVER – (5) (1st EM)
Hasn’t missed a place in four starts this prep including finishing third (1/2 length) behind Pop ‘n’ Scotch at his most recent effort, in a 3yo Handicap over 2220m. Had his chance from the inside draw last start and although drawing well again, should be well accounted for.
20. DECKHAND – (4) (2nd EM)
Started a 100/1 two starts ago when running eighth (5 ¾ lengths) behind Pinstripe Lane and Elusive Runner before appreciated both the drop in grade and step up in distance, when a head second to Pop ‘n’ Scotch in a 3yo 2220m race at Doomben a week and a half ago. Will find this no easier.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Can Vilanova be trusted to produce two good runs back to back? If so, like he did in the G3 Prix Stakes, he’ll prove too good for this field again. Pinstripe Lane’s effort behind in the Grand Prix was very good and from six, unlike Vilanova, should be a good spot throughout. Looks very hard to beat. Disappointed Rudy has drawn so poorly. Thought his effort in the Grand Prix was full of merit and should’ve finished closer to Vilanova than he did. Will have to produce something special to win from out there but out $15, can’t leave him out of any multiples. Elusive Runner is still learning the trait but appears to have an abundance of ability. Last start’s run and the formline through Pinstripe, read very well for here.
- PINSTRIPE LANE
- ELUSIVE RUNNER
- VILANOVA
- ROCK DIVA