Derby Takes On More Competitive Look

Sunday, 27 December 2009 04:30

The New Zealand Derby has taken on a more competitive look following the Boxing day meeting at Ellerslie.

Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul eased to joint favourite in the race after appearing to be ill at ease on the firm track when he failed in the weight-for-age Zabeel Classic (2000m).

Joining him at the top of the betting for the Derby in March was Zarzuela following her last-stride victory in the Great Northern Guineas (2100m) over Monaco Consul's stablemate Prince Of Wales.

In addition, Katie Lee reminded racegoers she wouldn't lack for courage if she lined up in the Derby with her victory in the Eight Carat Classic (1600m).

Zarzuela had been a little unlucky when second to Sophia Babe at her previous start and she looked destined for second again when Prince Of Wales stole a break halfway down the straight in the Group Two guineas.

But once fully wound up she made ground quickly on Prince Of Wales and got up on the line to win by a head.

Zarzuela's trainer Mark Walker was sure she would excel even more once she got to the Derby trip of 2400 metres.

"She's a promising filly who's untapped at this stage," Walker said.

"She'll have a week in the paddock now and we'll hit the big time in the autumn with her.

"When she gets to 2400 metres she should be well placed."

Runner-up Prince Of Wales lost no followers for the New Zealand Derby.

He perhaps got to the front too early after jockey Michael Coleman moved forward at the 600m to avoid being pocketed by Zarzuela, but showed his class after two unlucky previous runs.

"Michael said he was starting to pull up when he got to the front," co-trainer Paul Moroney said.

"He's a very good colt who will get a good race one day, but Zarzuela's a very good filly though."

Katie Lee is not a certain Derby runner as her owner, Sir Patrick Hogan of Cambridge Stud, wants to sew up the Filly of the Year series first.

She extended her lead in the series to 17.5 points when she narrowly held out Adeline in the Eight Carat Classic, and could extend it further if she wins the Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

Sir Patrick said she would not contest the Desert Gold Stakes (2000m) at Trentham at the end of January but was likely to run in the Sir Tristram Classic (2000m) in February.

"If she's sewn up the Filly of the Year and we think she can run 2400 metres, then if we think the fillies are just as good as the colts and geldings, we might as well go for the Derby ahead of the Oaks," he said.