The Peter Moody trained Brambles has dominated the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm today, leading all the way to win the 2400m race.

Quintessential was not disgraced and put in a gutsy performance to finish second, missing out on the Queensland Oaks / Derby double.

Brambles proved too strong in the Queensland Derby - photo © Daniel Costello

Three-year-old Savabeel gelding Brambles, who jumped from barrier 13 of the eighteen horse field, pushed straight to the lead. By the 1600m Brambles was 2 1/2 lengths in front from Ticked with another 2 lengths back to Isopach. Quintessential had moved up into fourth, one off the fence, after starting from widest gate.

By the 1000m Brambles was 3 lengths clear of Isopach. Westsouthwest had moved up into third.

Into the home turn Quintessintial had moved up into second, 2 1/2 behind the leader Brambles. With 600m left to go Brambles had extended the lead to 3 lengths, from Quintessintial from Westsouthwest and Tohunga running on.

Quintessintial couldn’t get there, and it was a impressive all-the-win by Brambles. Westsouthwest finished third and Tohunga was fourth.

The result was no surprise for Peter Moody, who predicted that the conditions would suit.

Peter Moody was full of praise of both horse and jockey.

“It was a good tough effort, terrific judged ride from Brad (Rawiller), and a good tough effort from the horse,” Moody said.

John Sargent was very proud of Quintessential’s effort, backing up from her Oaks win last weekend.

“I thought for a minute that she might catch the leader, but I think last week just told in the end, but she gutsed it out well to run second in the Derby” Sargent said.

Brambles and Quintessential will both now spell before a Spring Campaign.