Keybow will start as the short-priced favourite in the Group Two Queensland Derby to be run at Albion Park on Thursday night. He is the fastest qualifier through to the final in 29.67, just ahead of Reg Kay’s up-and-coming youngster Size Does Matter, who recorded a career best 29.69.
Winning connections will pocket $40,000 for their dogs efforts. The final is race eight on the card at Albion Park and jumps at 9:08pm.
Comments: ARG opinion is –National Derby Champion that performed well at his first look at the track last week, beaten just a neck by Peter’s Pick in 30.18. Is expected to perform well from the inside draw.
Comments: Tom Noble (Trainer) – “He’s not that fast early and has no hope of leading it. He will be mid-field and likes to use the track. I don’t think he’s a good chance. He is not up to the class and has only had 10 starts. You need early speed to win these races. The owner is happy to see him in the final.”
Comments: ARG opinion is – Led his heat last week, eventually beaten half a length by Flash Reality. Will be looking to lead again. A rough each-way chance.
Comments: Tony Brett (Trainer) – “We are up against it from box five. He wasn’t ready last week, I sort of threw him in the deep end. There was a slight hiccup as he was meant to be in the Warrnambool Classic but there was an issue with some paperwork and he had to be scratched, so I took him to Sandown for a post-to-post and he went fantastic. I decided after that to throw him in the Derby and he has made the final. I’ve only had him over a fortnight. He’s a lovely dog and has been looked after, which makes my job easier.”
Comments: Travis Elson (Trainer) – “He hasn’t drawn well. I would prefer him drawn closer to the rails. The seven cuts left. It is up to the start. He is a very honest dog but he is not up to the class of the two 29.60 dogs. His best is 30.20 odd. He will need a lot of things to go his way and for things to go wrong for others.”
Comments: ARG opinion is – Recorded the slowest heat time last week, finishing strongly. Is expected to head straight across to the fence and is likely to suffer interference in the process.
Comments: Reg Kay (Trainer) – “He is a bit hit and miss at the start. The Victorian dogs in box one and two will be hard to beat. I don’t know if he will get across. I’m hoping, I’ve got my fingers crossed. He is very inexperienced. If he had the inside and came out like he did last week, he would be a rough chance. In six months time he will show what he can do. I would rather have box eight then four, five or six. He has done well during the week.”
Comments: Yet to win at the track and wins are well spaced. Will find this too hard if he gets a start.
Best Albion Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
NBT
30.59
5.61
5.61
Keybow (2) is the stand-out as he has drawn well and we all know he is a class dog, with the Group One Perth Cup his biggest win currently. He just has to repeat last week’s performance to win this and he will be aided by a slow beginner on his outside.
Zipping Brock (1) is the other Victorian trained chaser in the race and he handled his first start at the track in race conditions with aplomb. He was only beaten a neck and looks the natural improver in the race.
Size Does Matter (8) came out running in his heat from box three. It is the second time in a row that he has come out well and the Reg Kay trained dog, who has just turned two, looks like he is starting to put it all together. He looks to be a very smart dog in the making but may have some trouble trying to cross from box eight. He may get the drag across if Angvella (7) begins and cuts left as most expect him to.
Flash Reality (5) wasn’t set for this race but after being scratched from the Warrnambool Classic, Tony Brett decided to put the dog, who is only new to his kennels, in the Derby. He put in a very gutsy effort last week and in the astute hands of Brett, is capable of anything. He is an each-way chance.
Peter’s Pick (3) has won 10 from 13 but may find this a little tough as he is a slow beginner. He is strong, but will need some luck in the early stages to put himself in the race. Grand Roman (4) on the other hand has plenty of early toe but will need to be well clear to finish ahead of some of the strong finishers in this race.
Lastly, Tejay’s Grand (6) is a very honest and experienced chaser, but the box draw has not done him any favours with his trainer admitting a lot of things will need to go his way if he is to be a chance.
