The well-backed favourite Kovalica was too good on the quick back-up putting to bed any concerns about his staying ability with a dominant romp home in the 2023 Ladbrokes Queensland Derby results.
Kovalica dominated the 2023 Queensland Derby results after his brave third to Huetor (pictured) in last weekend’s Doomben Cup. Photo: Steve Hart.
Trainer Chris Waller celebrated his third success in the now $1 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm and his second in three years with his Ocean Park gelding Kovalica saluting for the punters.
It was an easy watch for the stable and favourite backers and jockey James McDonald took advantage of a good gate getting into a beautiful spot and switching off the odds-on fancy.
McDonald took control of the race peeling out three-wide at the 400m to hit the front and lead down the straight.
Nothing was getting close once the master hoop went for home on the Queensland Guineas winner who handled both the seven-day back-up and first look at the 2400m without a worry.
After missing the Rough Habit Plate Kovalica had his final Derby lead-up in last weekend’s Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) against the older horses running a brave third to Huetor.
He was rock-hard fit then back against his own age in the Queensland Derby and proved both his ability to run out a strong mile-and-a-half as well as his class.
“Obviously he’s had the perfect preparation in terms of getting the distance,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“Once he hit the front I thought ‘he’s fit enough, he’ll be right’.
“Faultless ride, obviously barrier draws make things so much easier.
“James cleverly got out in a three wide line. He got out to make his own luck.”
On the line Kovalica ($1.70F) had two lengths to spare over the brave Peter Moody-trained improver Fame ($10) who ran out of his skin for second.
Third went to the John O’Shea-trained Rough Habit Plate third place-getter Stroke Of Luck ($31) who crossed four lengths off the winner at big odds.
Waller has now prepared three Queensland Derby winners with Kovalica joining Hawkspur (2013) and Kukeracha (2021), who was also ridden by McDonald, on the honour roll for the stable.
