Jockey Mark du Plessis will get the chance to win a Group 1 in Brisbane Saturday week recovering his Queensland Derby 2014 ride aboard the Donna Logan-trained filly Telepathic.
Ruakaka-based New Zealand trainer Logan had engaged the services of former star Kiwi apprentice James McDonald for her Mossman filly Telepathic in the $500,000 Group 1 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.
McDonald then was replacing Du Plessis in the Stradbroke Handicap Day feature, the latter having been aboard Telepathic for her two most recent Brisbane runs.
He’s regained the mount however after McDonald was handed a nasty 13-meeting suspension for his ride on The Big Bomber at Canterbury this week that caused fellow jockey Tye Angland to come off his horse in a death defying fall.
While it is bad news for McDonald, who is now also in danger of losing his lead in the Sydney premiership race to Nash Rawiller, Du Plessis is pleased to continue his association with Telepathic.
The up-and-coming three-year-old debuted down under on May 10 and caught the eye running just half a length away second to Amexed in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m).
She backed up a fortnight later at the same track going up to 2200m for the first time in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes.
After a nasty barrier 13 of 14 draw however she was forced to race wide throughout and only managed to finish fifth to the Chris Waller-trained Vilanova.
Vilanova is now the $4.40 favourite in Queensland Derby pre-field betting just ahead of the John Sargent-trained Elusive Runner and Troy Corstens’ Grand Prix runner-up Pinstripe Lane at $5.50.
Former favourite Telepathic meanwhile is still at single figures paying $8 to beat home the boys and improve on her Grand Prix run.
Du Plessis will be looking to make amends for the Grand Prix ride too, his performance in which saw owner Gerry Harvey take him off for the Derby, something Logan believes him deserving of.
“Mark knows her very well and he is entitled to the benefit of the doubt,” she told The Dominion Post.
“They all make mistakes. What we really need now is a draw [well in the Derby].
“She’s bright and well and very bouncy. We are happy with her.”
Du Plessis also gets an earlier chance to bag a Group 1 when he partners Snapcrackle in the $400,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) this weekend as one of five Eagle Farm mounts at the meeting.
Last start winner of a Class 2 on the Gold Coast in the mud, Snapcrackle is a $101 outsider for the Oaks in markets led by The Roses champ Arabian Gold ($2.50).
To check out the full Queensland Derby betting markets and back your favourites at their generous early odds before the final field is out next Wednesday, head over to Ladbrokes.com.au who are offering Best Tote or SP + 20% on the Oaks this Saturday!
