Darren Weir’s in-form Kiwi expat Mongolian Wolf is one of the exciting 2017 Queensland Derby nominations taken for the Stradbroke Handicap Day feature this winter.

The Darren Weir-trained Kiwi expat Mongolian Wolf is a key 2017 Queensland Derby nominee this winter. Photo: Steve Hart.

Due to run at Eagle Farm Racecourse as one of three elite levels on June 10 this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, the $600,000 Group 1 Channel 7 Queensland Derby (2400m) drew a bumper 98 entries at nomination stage.

A standout among the three-year-old stayers tracking towards a run in the mile and a half classic is the former New Zealand-trained Mongolian Wolf now prepared in Victoria by Weir.

The son of Pluck took his career record up to four wins from nine starts, blitzing his down under debut at Randwick on April 15 in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) and further franking the form out of this year’s NZ Derby.

Weir is after his maiden Queensland Derby win and has also nominated for five other youngsters including Rockstar Rebel who could have an earlier run in Adelaide’s Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) on May 13.

The New Zealand three-year-olds dominated proceedings in Sydney over the autumn and there are another of other exciting Kiwi-trained runners out to do the same in the sunshine state over the cooler months.

Ruakaka trainers Donna Logan & Chris Gibbs have a trio of Queensland Derby nominees this season led by the flying Tavidream.

The Tavistock gelding has enjoyed three wins to date, most recently on April 22 at Ellerslie in the Group 2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) earning his trip to Queensland.

He could be joined in the Queensland Derby field 2017 by stablemates Jake The Muss and Comin’through.

Progressive Bullbars gelding Comin’through has also been in top form back home posting back-to-back wins over the 2100m at Ellerslie in March and looking like he’ll run out a strong 2400m.

With the fillies traditionally contesting the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) the week before the Derby, the last female galloper to beat home the boys in the former was Dariana (2010).

Of the Queensland Derby-nominated fillies this winter key entries include Crown Oaks runner-up in the spring Harlow Gold, the fellow Lindsay Park-trained Sebring Dream and James Cummings’ improver Savvan.

Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller enjoyed a win in the Queensland Derby with Hawkspur back in 2013, the galloper jumping equal favourite after a lead-up victory in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes, and returns with nine entries this year.

Among Waller’s best Queensland Derby hopes in 2017 are the likes of Veladero who ran second to Mongolian Wolf in the Frank Packer, last start Kembla Grange winner Tumultuous and Sizzling Bullet.

The Queensland Derby first acceptances are out on May 31, 2017.

Check out the full Queensland Derby 2017 nominations below before backing your early Group 1 Eagle Farm race selections online at the right price through Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 Queensland Derby Nominations

Eagle Farm Racecourse – 10/06/2017