This Saturday the Tony Noonan-trained Kutchinsky will be out to prove he has the staying ability to earn a 2010 Melbourne Cup campaign when he contests the $500,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

The promising Anabaa gelding is emerging as the next staying superstar and will head into the Derby as the hot favourite, currently paying $2.90 through [iasbet], following his impressive victory in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) last start.

If Kutchinsky does well in the Derby on Saturday, then Mornington-based trainer Noonan will begin preparations for a Cup Carnival campaign for him during the spring with hopes of having the classy stayer get a run in $6 million Melbourne Cup, celebrating 150 years on Tuesday November 2.

To date Kutchinsky, purchased for $290,000 at the 2008 Sydney Easter Yearling Sales, has had nine starts for three wins and two placings earning $164, 322 in career prizemoney.

Noonan also saddles classy Testa Rossa mare Ortensia in the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Saturday’s closing Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival meeting on Saturday. Ortensia is the current second-favourite to take out Queensland’s premier sprint event, sitting at $6.50 for a win with [iasbet] behind the $2.60 favourite Whobegotyou.

To view the full markets for all of Saturday’s Eagle Farm Races head to [iasbet] today!