Hydrometer Impresses in Derby Trial

1005hydrometer.jpg (13176 bytes)Classy Adelaide galloper Hydrometer burst into VRC Derby calculations when he downed the hot favourite Lord Volksraad in impressive fashion to win the Listed $101,000 Concept Sport Stakes (1420m) at Flemington today.

Trained by Leon Macdonald, Hydrometer made up for his narrow defeat at Sandown last weekend when he veered to the outside fence and was beaten by only a long neck.

Macdonald’s Melbourne foreman Andrew Noblet said the son of Geiger Counter would head to the Group Two Norman Robinson Stakes before his ultimate aim in the Victoria Derby back at Flemington next month.

1005hydrometer2.jpg (14383 bytes)"He’s a lovely horse," Noblet said after the win. "He deserves everything he gets as he is beautiful to work with and he has a great deal of ability."

Ridden beautifully by record breaking jockey Damien Oliver, the son of Geiger Counter was able to shoot to the front after entering the home straight against the rails and then hold out a strong challenge from the previously unbeaten Brian Mayfield-Smith trained Lord Volksraad.

"He actually reminded me a lot of Umrum," Oliver said. "He positioned himself in the box seat so easily."

The stable could have two runners in the Group One Derby if the talented recent Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner Great Glen comes through next weekend’s Group One Guineas in good style.

1005hydrortosc.jpg (12179 bytes)"Kerrin McEvoy will ride him (Great Glen) in the Guineas and he is a chance of heading on to the Derby if he runs well next week."

At the post the South Australian bred colt had three quarters of a length to spare over Lord Volksraad, while the Last Tycoon colt Tycoon Ruler worked home solidly for third, a further length back.

The highly rated Hong Kong galloper Able Choice disappointed at his final Caulfield Guineas lead up, finishing eight lengths from the winner in seventh place after racing up on the pace during the early and middle stages.

PICS - Quentin Lang.