Maciano Looking To Earn Derby Start
- Friday, 19 February 2010 02:45
Maciano can give himself a chance to emulate his mother with a top-four effort in Saturday's Championship Stakes at Ellerslie.
A $NZ1.45 million buy for trainer John Sargent at Karaka two years ago, Maciano is by Redoute's Choice out of Popsy whose 1993 New Zealand Derby win was the last by a filly.
Maciano has been seen as a potential Derby horse since he began racing this season, but at 23rd in the order of entry he needs to run in the top four in Saturday's Group Two 2100m event to qualify for the $NZ2.2 million blue riband.
Sargent, who trains Maciano at Matamata, had hoped the colt would earn a Derby start in the Waikato Guineas two weeks ago but he finished ninth after he was galloped on while trying to challenge.
"It was like a rugby tackle from behind that he didn't see coming," Sargent said.
"He was very sore after the race. He had to have a week off but he had a very good gallop on Wednesday and I'm very happy."
Maciano's form outside that race suggests he is not too far off the Waikato Guineas form.
At his first start he was just a head behind Guineas winner and Derby favourite Zarzuela, and two starts back he finished ahead of Corporal Jones who was subsequently second to Zarzuela in the Guineas.
Both horses are among Maciano's opponents again on Saturday along with stablemates Sirani and No Emotion.
Sirani, who was impressive in winning at Ellerslie at the end of January, is 14th in the Derby entry order and probably assured of a start.
But Sargent said the Galileo filly was not a certain Derby starter and may instead be saved for the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 17.
"Her owners are traditionalists and they would like her to win the Oaks," Sargent said.
"But we will find out if she's up to Zarzuela tomorrow and the Derby could be a good lead-up to the Oaks anyway."
No Emotion was first emergency for the Championship Stakes but will get into the race after the withdrawal of Imabayboy.
Tenth in the Karaka Mile at his last start, No Emotion also needs a top-four placing to earn a Derby start.
"He just got going late at his last start and we'll try to run a bit handier, but he'll need to lift up a level," Sargent said.
