Robbie Laing is being single-minded in his preparation towards chasing a second Victoria Derby win in three years.
Polanski gave Laing his first Derby victory in 2013 and Kentucky Flyer is being aimed at this year’s edition.
Kentucky Flyer
Following a win in a Cranbourne maiden on August 23, Kentucky Flyer scored a fighting victory in the Quest Moonee Valley Handicap (1500m) on Saturday.
Ridden by Vlad Duric and sent out favourite, Kentucky Flyer ($4.40) scored by a half length from Polish Tiger ($8) with Scadden’s Run ($13) three quarters of a length away third.
Laing has planned the last three runs of Kentucky Flyer’s program, but is not sure what to do with the Street Sense colt before his next start.
That outing will be in the UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 4 on the way to the Caulfield Classic (2000m) two weeks before the Derby at Flemington.
“If you target one race you’re a far better chance,” Laing said.
“I don’t want to give him too many runs before the Derby as it’s not too far away.
“It’s at the end of October this year and here we are the second week of September.”
Duric is impressed with the three-year-old after getting a call-up to ride the colt in a barrier trial before his first-up win.
“He really impressed me in the trial,” Duric said.
“I was confident at Cranbourne, but he was a bit new and a bit green but today he was a much more switched on horse.
“It’s still a big step up but he’s going the right way.”
