HOWDEN VICTORIA DERBY PREVIEW
Derby hopefuls do battle here and we have a slight leaning to SENJUTSU (4) for the in-form Bjorn Baker yard. Forgive the debut run on a very heavy track, he came away to win well over 1400m at Hawkesbury last time out in a genuinely run race. A rise in trip should be no issue off the late strength he showed there and the stable are very good at bringing horses to Flemington. OPTIONS (3) has won both starts to date, dominant out to 1600m at Bendigo on heavy ground. He'll relish 1800m and looks a genuine Derby hope. ENGINE OF WAR (1) is early favourite for the Derby off a strong win first up at Sandown Hillside, showing late strength over 1500m to score narrowly. He'll stay well and has to be respected. Wary of ARABIAN PRINCE (7) who debuted in a race over this route and ran well off a very slow speed. He can be improved. AUTUMN MYSTERY (2) is also in the mix and will stay.
Visit TAB.COM.AUDerby hopefuls do battle here and we have a slight leaning to SENJUTSU (4) for the in-form Bjorn Baker yard. Forgive the debut run on a very heavy track, he came away to win well over 1400m at Hawkesbury last time out in a genuinely run race. A rise in trip should be no issue off the late strength he showed there and the stable are very good at bringing horses to Flemington. OPTIONS (3) has won both starts to date, dominant out to 1600m at Bendigo on heavy ground. He'll relish 1800m and looks a genuine Derby hope. ENGINE OF WAR (1) is early favourite for the Derby off a strong win first up at Sandown Hillside, showing late strength over 1500m to score narrowly. He'll stay well and has to be respected. Wary of ARABIAN PRINCE (7) who debuted in a race over this route and ran well off a very slow speed. He can be improved. AUTUMN MYSTERY (2) is also in the mix and will stay.
Third race start. Promising on debut 3rd of 9 at Waverley 2yo Mdn-Sw on April 21 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Belzoni carrying 57.5kg at $4.80. Went for a spell before returning won by a nose at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Mdn-Sw September 3 over 1500m defeating There Were Roses with 58kg at $4.80. Back in great shape and is likely to feature.
Form hard to fault. At the latest run 2nd of 10 at Bendigo Mdn-Sw on September 7 over 1600m, in the wet; 0.8 len behind Crown Of Russia with 57kg at $1.30. The run before that 2nd of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside Mdn-Sw on August 13 over 1400m, slow going 0.8 len behind Godtfred Kirk carrying 57kg at $5. In the mix again.
Looking to keep his unbeaten record intact. When well in the market on debut, came home strongly from last on the turn and won by 0.5 len at Echuca 3yo Mdn-Sw August 10 over 1300m in soft going defeating Victorious Spirit with 58kg at $3.40. Last start scored a big 3.5 len win at Bendigo Bm62 September 7 over 1600m on a heavy track defeating Budjik Boy carrying 58kg at $6. Progressing well, big chance.
Lining up for just third start. When well in the market at debut, 4th in a small field at Warwick Farm Super 3yo Mdn on August 20 over 1300m, on a wet track; 12 len behind Beside The Ocean with 58kg at $3.90. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.5 len at Hawkesbury Cg&E Mdn-Sw September 6 over 1400m defeating Cobra Club with 56.5kg at $3.90. Can measure right up for top yard.
Third race start today. At debut, 5th of 12 at Seymour Mdn-Sw on August 15 over 1400m, slow going 6 len behind Camp Cable with 57kg at $7. Last start raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.8 len at Bendigo Mdn-Sw September 7 over 1600m on a heavy track defeating Autumn Mystery with 57kg at $14. Will stay and is a chance.
Third-up today. Resuming 3rd in a small field at Ballarat Synthetic 3yo Mdn-Sw on August 7 over 1400m, 7 len behind Cyssan carrying 58kg at $6. Second-up won by 0.5 len at Warracknabeal Mdn-Sw August 30 over 1610m in soft going defeating Judge Jenni carrying 58kg at $8.50. Obviously a lot harder and the ratings say he won't be competitive.
Resuming after a break; only one run when 3rd of 8 at this track 2yo Hcp on July 19 over 1800m, on a slow track; neck behind Arcora carrying 56.5kg at $8.50. Has upside and should stay well.
Last start 4th in a small field at Moonee Valley 3yo Hcp on September 6 over 1600m, 6 len behind Miewa with 52.5kg at $31. Before that 6th of 10 at Sandown-Hillside 2yo Hcp on July 16 over 1300m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Exit with 57kg at $101. Unlikely to threaten.
Third-up today. First-up 7th of 10 at Randwick Kensington Super Mdn on August 27 over 1250m, on a wet track; 6 len behind Siriusly Hot carrying 55kg at $12. Second-up 7th of 9 at Canterbury Super Mdn on September 10 over 1550m, slow going 1.75 len behind Officiate with 55kg at $18. Can't have.
Had two starts to date. At big odds at debut, took up a position near the tail 2nd of 12 at Geelong 3yo Mdn-Sw on August 8 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Trapdoor with 58kg at $26. Second-up 4th of 13 at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Mdn-Sw on September 3 over 1500m, 1.2 len behind Engine Of War with 58kg at $3.80. Not hopeless.
At debut, 2nd of 11 at Ballarat Synthetic Mdn-Sw on September 1 over 1500m, nose behind Garfield carrying 57kg at $7.50. Open to improvement.
At debut, 4th of 10 at Bendigo Mdn-Sw on September 7 over 1600m, on heavy track; 4 len behind Crown Of Russia with 57kg at $12. Needs to improve sharply to threaten.
At debut, 6th of 10 at Bendigo 3yo Mdn-Sw on September 7 over 1300m, in the wet; 3.5 len behind Romantic Encounter with 58kg at $16. Risking.