New Zealand horseman John Bary has opted not to run the early 2013 Queensland Derby betting favourite Survived in one of the traditional lead-up races this weekend with the horse to bypass the $150,000 Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben.
Hawkspur gets a chance to run to the top of the Queensland Derby odds this weekend. Photo: Daniel Costello.
Zed gelding Survived enjoyed a stellar summer – autumn campaign back home in NZ winning four consecutive races as they stepped up through the ranks and in distance including the Group 3 Manawatu Classic – Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup double.
They were highly spruiked ahead of their Australian debut at Eagle Farm on May 11 but a disappointing ride by Jonathan Riddell saw them take Survived to the inside, the horse eventually running three lengths away second to Hawkspur in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2100m).
The bookies were quick to forgive however believing Survived capable of a comeback in the $500,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on Stradbroke Handicap Day, June 8.
In the latest Queensland Derby odds Survived is the firming $3.60 favourite.
But they may lose top spot in the Queensland Derby odds after this weekend.
While Survived will sit out another Saturday of racing a number of their Queensland Derby rivals will face off in the Grand Prix Stakes including the Chris Waller-trained Rough Habit Plate winner Hawkspur and the third placed Usainity who sit second and third in the Group 1 markets at $7 and $9 respectively.
A win by one of the Derby-bound youngsters on Saturday will likely see them surpass Survived in the futures markets for the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival’s premier three-year-olds’ race.
Other notable Queensland Derby hopes running in the 2013 Grand Prix Stakes then include Gai Waterhouse’s High Chaparral colt Hippopus who was a disappointing 12th in the Doomben Cup last Saturday, Michael Moroney’s last start Sandown winner Rhythm To Spare and Clarry Conners’ recent Australian Oaks runner-up Dear Demi.
To get behind your favourites for the Doomben 10,000 Day races this weekend, or looking further ahead to the Queensland Derby at the end of the carnival, then head over to bookmaker.com.au where you will get a better deal on every race every day!
