FEATURE PREVIEWS: QUEENSLAND DERBY

Track: Eagle Farm | Distance: 2400m | Type: Group 1 3YO | Rail Position: True | Condition: Soft 5 | Prizemoney: $1,000,000

Expect #8 SPECIAL SWEY to push forward from the wide gate with #1 KOVALICA and #4 PROMISES KEPT both finding suitable positions in running. Have to anticipate a local or two will push forward early to ensure an even tempo.

1. Kovalica – Looks the obvious one. Slashing trial for this last week, congratulations to connections.
2. The Vowels – Doubt its strong enough at the trip to win, Top 4 chance.
3. Aberfeldie Boy – Top 5 chance.
4. Promises Kept – Gets a good map, the obvious danger to the favorite.
5. Andalus – Top 5 hope.
6. Tapildoodledo – Unlikely
7. Waitak – Unlikely
8. Special Swey – Genuine Top 3 chance. Good effort last time off the back of a great ride. Will need a good ride again, but has the ability.
9. Stroke Of Luck – Unlikely
10. Smartawi – Unlikely
11. Arby – Looks a rung below the better ones here.
12. Cut On A Dime – Unlikely
13. The Englishman – Unlikely
14. Fame – Unlikely
15. Xtrarevz – Outclassed
16. Sacred Mission – Outclassed
17. Amalgamation – Not today, or ever this class.
18. True Blue – Nope
19. Subarctic – No.
20. Artful Girl – Lol.

1. Kovalica
4. Promises Kept
8. Special Swey
2. The Vowels

A very shallow race with less than a handful of chances. I’d be absolutely shocked if the winner didn’t come from my top four selections. KOVALICA is the obvious choice, who missed a run against his own age 2 weeks ago, but put in a slashing Derby trial last week in WFA company. The fate has made it slightly more difficult for SPECIAL SWEY. He was given a peach of a ride to win last time, but this is harder now. Expect Nash Rawiller to be aggressive early and put him in the race.