They may only occupy the fourth line of pre-field 2013 Victoria Derby betting, but Polanski could just be the horse to beat in the Melbourne Cup Carnival classic on Saturday according to jockey Hugh Bowman.
Norman Robinson Stakes winner Polanski is at a nice price to win the 2013 Victoria Derby on Saturday. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
Bowman has enjoyed great recent success in the $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) winning two of the past three editions.
In 2010 in guided the ill-fated Lion Tamer to victory before returning 12 months later to snare back-to-back wins in the Flemington feature this time with another Kiwi raider Sangster.
This year he’s snapped up the ride aboard the Robbie Laing-trained Rakti colt Polanski.
And his mount is way over the Victoria Derby odds if you ask Bowman.
Victoria Derby betting is firmly led by two gallopers.
Current $4 top fancy is the Peter Snowden-trained Complacent.
The son of Authorized has been dominating the traditional three-year-old races in Sydney, their most recent effort being a win in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 12.
They are followed closely in futures betting, the Victoria Derby final field due out on Wednesday morning, by John O’Shea’s promising son of Savabeel Savvy Nature.
While Complacent rested up last weekend, Savvy Nature was having their first run in Melbourne.
It was an impressive winning effort too as they scored a big win in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2050m) in the perfect Derby trial.
Polanski meanwhile comes out of some different form.
The bookies are rating the Sydney form line over that in Melbourne too with Polanski at a current quote of $9 to score an upset Victoria Derby result, which could be a mistake Bowman says.
“It is hard to line up the form but I think the Sydney form might be suspect,” Bowman told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“The way Drago went [on Saturday when fifth in the Moonee Valley Vase], but also you had Savvy Nature come out and win.
“I actually think they’re all pretty even, and I know my bloke is a last-start winner and can stay.”
After a third-up win in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 5, Polanski was last seen scoring their second on the trot in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) on October 19.
They beat a quality field of fellow Derby-bound youngsters too including San Diego (2nd), Epic Saga (3rd) and Honey Steel’s Gold (4th).
Bowman replaced the horse’s regular rider Dean Yendall for the Norman Robinson and was very impressed with their success.
“He was good over 2000 metres, and he is just big and strong, with a great trainer of stayers in Robbie Laing,” Bowman said.
He will now maintain that association on Saturday for the Victoria Derby, Bowman brimming with confidence.
“I was able to book myself on him straight away, and it is very exciting to get on a live chance,” he said.
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