Carton Of Bear qualifies quickest for Ipswich Derby final
Carton Of Bear emerged from the 2023 Listed Ipswich Derby heats on Saturday night as the fastest qualifier heading toward next week's final.
Trained by Brent Kline, Carton Of Bear started his 520m heat as the +160 race favourite with online bookmakers.
Jumping from box five, he got out fast to take the lead, dictating terms dominantly for the entire trip to the joy of favourite punters.
He beat Fancy A Scotch by 7.5 lengths in the fastest heat time of 30.28.
2023 Listed Ipswich Derby Heat 3 – Carton Of Bear (30.28) T: Brent Kline
The winning time smashed his previous best time of 30.51, clocked on April 22, in a heat of the Anniversary Cup.
Trainer Kline was glad to see his chaser salute after a run of bad luck of late.
“Clearly happy with the run,” Kline said.
“He needed that.
“He's had a lot of bad luck at Ipswich, so we were happy to see him get a clear run.”
The son of Hooked On Scotch and Shilo has now had 12 wins and eight minor placings from 31 career starts and has earned $48,460 in prizemoney.
He will now line up in the $30,000-to-the-winner final next Saturday night, with Kline saying he would prefer an inside draw, but is not optimistic of a favourable draw.
“You watch; the box draw will kill me, though,” he added.
The other heat winners were the current track record holder, Blue Hornet, who won in 30.54; and the Jedda Cutlack-trained I'm Peakin' who won in 30.92.
2023 Listed Ipswich Derby Heat 1 – Blue Hornet (30.54) T: Ray Burman
2023 Listed Ipswich Derby Heat 2 – I'm Peakin' (30.92) T: Jedda Cutlack
With just three heats of the 2023 Listed Ipswich Derby run, the three winners and runners-up, plus the two fastest thirds will progress to next week's final.