Boris Fields Denies Crossley And Clinches More Group Glory
Jason Thompson can rest assured that the time and energy spent preparing his team for the long haul to W.A was worthwhile after his underrated sprinter Boris Fields claimed the Group 2 W.A Derby over the weekend.
As was reported last week, Boris Fields used his railing ability to win his heat in best of night time and was always expected to lay claims once he was given box one for the main event, starting the race at a $2.10 popular pick.
The final field comprised of six Victorian chasers and two locals, with Crump ($3.90) looking the most likely to test the favourite, along with Thompson's second runner Powerhouse ($4.70) on the next line of betting. The two local runners – Celtic Coin ($37.50) and Knight Fun ($16.50) – held the key to the race with their early speed and as it eventuated, the result almost went the way of the Westerners.
Once the boxes opened, punters would have been sweating bullets, with both favourites missing the start from the bookend boxes and it was Kiss Me Ketut ($16.70) for David Burnett who sped out and got plenty of room to move. It led the field heading to the first turn, with Celtic Coin positioned handy just outside the leader wearing the green vest.
Around the first bend Powerhouse decided he wanted the middle of the track, and took Knight Fun and Crump along for the ride with him. This turned out to be a pivotal moment, as it allowed Boris Fields to overcome the poor start and get back within striking distance of the leading duo.
Kiss Me Ketut still had a slender lead from Celtic Coin along the back straight, and while those two battled amongst themselves, the large stride of Boris was looming ominously. The rest of the field continued to get in each other's way, before Crump emerged into clear air to start its burst.
After a rugged fight, Celtic Coin had beaten off its determined opponent up front, but faced a totally different task in holding off the Thompson runner, who was just waiting for the right moment to pounce. Strangely, in a carbon copy of its heat, Boris Fields stayed nailed to the fence the entire time and was again gifted a run at the perfect moment. It's been said glory is about taking chances when they present, and when Celtic Coin wobbled around the turn, the W.A Derby final was over in the blink of an eye, and $40,000 was heading to the son of Knocka Norris.
Stopping the clock at 30.39 for the 530 metres, Boris Field took his career record 29 starts for 13 wins, seven placings and now $177,000 in prizemoney. His performances have always been a demonstration of strength, but his record from the red box is more than imposing. Those familiar with the dog will remember his 29.57 Great Chase victory from that box at The Meadows and more recently, his outstanding Semi-Final win of the Golden Easter Egg, defeating Renegade Chief in 29.54.
Turning attention to the beaten brigade, Celtic Coin's effort to stick on against a much more accomplished field is to be commended, and it now takes a runners-up double after filling the second step of the podium in the Mandurah Derby only a few weeks ago.
It went close to creating a huge treble for John Crossley, who has begun to dominate the W.A scene at present. Both Boss Coin and On Coin continued on their merry winning ways, and yet in defeat, Celtic Coin contributed the more handsome pay packet.
Kiss Me Ketut wound up in third place after setting the pace early, ahead of Crump who simply had too much ground to make up once he was granted clear racing room.
The W.A Derby has traditionally been a tremendous form guide for future events and it would be a wise move to follow all finalists in any of their upcoming engagements.