Focus on the Queensland Derby
June 9th 2008 01:52
Readers of this blog have most likely backed Queensland Derby winner Riva San after my explanation to her (what some had thought) surprising win in the Queensland Oaks at her previous start. Only four fillies have been capable of winning the Queensland Oaks/Derby double, and none since Royal Magic in 1992. She travelled kindly inside horses midfield and a long way out it was obvious that she only needed clear running to be the likely winner. Jim Byrne was able to angle her away from the rails before the turn and her sharp acceleration put the race in no doubt very quickly.
(photo: Dave Hunt AAP)
Trainer Peter Moody will set her now for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and her ability to handle very wet tracks would make her a possibility if conditions did suit. She would most likely need rain to threaten as it will be a big step up again to threaten the calibre of stayer competing in our premier staying races.
Mr Baritone was a surprise winner of the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Ridden by apprentice Sebastian Murphy, who rode a masterful race weaving through traffic and timing his run perfectly. Some hard luck stories from second placegetter Hard To Catch and Double Dare who finished third - but that is the nature of feature races.
Sebastian Murphy is an extremely talented jockey. Only eighteen and already having some difficulty maintaining a steady (and light) weight. I hope he has longevity as a jockey and does not go the same (heavyweight) way as other major talents like Patrick Payne.
The Stradbroke showed the benefit of a horse not being at the end of a racing campaign (hoping for one more run) with Mr Baritone being at his sixth run of a well spaced campaign. The favourite Casino Prince has been going since January and had contested the Australian Cup over 2000m mid-campaign. This was an afterthought and the combination of taxing racing (against the best), weight to carry, and wet track, were too much of a barrier to success. The best horses don’t always win.
At Flemington John Sadler added blinkers to the wayward Tindal and he responded with an emphatic win at his first test at 1400m. After being tested for the lead he showed that he was a serious racehorse and was able to perform at both ends. Speedratings selected this trifecta in correct order, and it was no surprise (and greeted with anticipation) that the debut performance of Peter Moody’s Redoute’s Choice colt Definitive was so impressive. A barnstorming finish and a horse for the Spring or next Autumn. He was purchased for $650,000 by Hanui Farm at the Magic Million weanling sale of 2006, then seven months later the colt made exactly double that when bought by Peter Moody at the Karaka Yearling Sale.
Riva San winning the Queensland Derby:
Riva San wins Queensland Derby
(photo: Dave Hunt AAP)
Trainer Peter Moody will set her now for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and her ability to handle very wet tracks would make her a possibility if conditions did suit. She would most likely need rain to threaten as it will be a big step up again to threaten the calibre of stayer competing in our premier staying races.
Mr Baritone was a surprise winner of the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Ridden by apprentice Sebastian Murphy, who rode a masterful race weaving through traffic and timing his run perfectly. Some hard luck stories from second placegetter Hard To Catch and Double Dare who finished third - but that is the nature of feature races.
Sebastian Murphy is an extremely talented jockey. Only eighteen and already having some difficulty maintaining a steady (and light) weight. I hope he has longevity as a jockey and does not go the same (heavyweight) way as other major talents like Patrick Payne.
The Stradbroke showed the benefit of a horse not being at the end of a racing campaign (hoping for one more run) with Mr Baritone being at his sixth run of a well spaced campaign. The favourite Casino Prince has been going since January and had contested the Australian Cup over 2000m mid-campaign. This was an afterthought and the combination of taxing racing (against the best), weight to carry, and wet track, were too much of a barrier to success. The best horses don’t always win.
At Flemington John Sadler added blinkers to the wayward Tindal and he responded with an emphatic win at his first test at 1400m. After being tested for the lead he showed that he was a serious racehorse and was able to perform at both ends. Speedratings selected this trifecta in correct order, and it was no surprise (and greeted with anticipation) that the debut performance of Peter Moody’s Redoute’s Choice colt Definitive was so impressive. A barnstorming finish and a horse for the Spring or next Autumn. He was purchased for $650,000 by Hanui Farm at the Magic Million weanling sale of 2006, then seven months later the colt made exactly double that when bought by Peter Moody at the Karaka Yearling Sale.
Riva San winning the Queensland Derby:
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