Trainer Pat Carey will run Queensland Oaks winner Gondokoro in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm.
Gondokoro looking to win Queensland Oaks - Derby double at Eagle Farm. Phoro by Daniel Costello.
Gondokoro has pleased the Mornington trainer since her win in last week’s Group 1 $400,000 XXXX Gold Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm and he has no worries about backing her up week to week.
“She has come through the Oaks really well and she will go into the Derby very fit and in very good order,” Carey said.
Carey was uncommitted about the Zabeel filly’s next start after her Oaks victory and was toying with the idea of sending her out with the Spring or the Autumn as her priority.
But a meeting with owner Trevor Delroy will see Gondokoro take on the colts and geldings in the Derby.
“The decision has been made and I’m happy with that,” Carey said.
“We went through a consultation process and decided to run.”
Gondokoro will try to emulate the Peter Moody trained Riva San who took out the Oaks – Derby double in 2008 while the Bart Cummings trained filly Dariana took out the 2010 Queensland Derby after missing a start in the Oaks when she stood in the barriers and took no part.
While last year Kiwi filly Quintessential went close to landing the double with a second the Moody trained Brambles after winning the Oaks in a quagmire the week before.
Gondokoro drew barrier fourteen in the original draw but three of the five emergencies are drawn inside her.
The Chris Waller trained Hawkspur will remain at the top of the markets after coming up with gate five while top Kiwi fancy Survived drew wide at seventeen when the eighteen horse field plus five emergencies was declared today.
Other Derby chances to drew wide are the Murray Baker trained Usainity (18) and Michael Moroney’s Rhythm To Spare (19).
Hawkspur has been undefeated from two Brisbane Winter Carnival starts beating Survived and Usainity in the Group 3 $125,000 Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2100m) at Eagle Farm on May 11 then beat Rhythm To Spare and Honorius in the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on May 25.
