Darci Be Good is an outsider in the Australian Derby but trainer Bede Murray is unperturbed by his recent form, citing comparisons with his 2001 winner Universal Prince.
Just as he did 11 years ago, Murray is sending Darci Be Good into the Classic at Randwick at his third run on three consecutive Saturdays after the Rosehill Guineas and Tulloch Stakes, both over 2000 metres.
At the same stage of their careers, Universal Prince had the runs on the board having won the Spring Stakes at Newcastle, the Group One Spring Champion Stakes and Canterbury Guineas.
He was unplaced in the Rosehill Guineas and runner-up in the Tulloch.
Darci Be Good also won the Spring Stakes and was runner-up to Doctor Doom in the Spring Champion.
While he hasn’t run a place in five starts this campaign, Murray believes he is working up to the 2400 metres of the Derby and jockey Luke Nolen agrees.
“Luke said he was very dour in the Tulloch and was looking for further,” Murray said.
“He said he was grinding rather than sprinting.
“He has been set for this race and it doesn’t perturb me that he hasn’t won this time in.
“The Derby has always been the plan and everything has fallen into line.
“He has proved he is a Randwick horse with his win in the Fernhill and his second in the Spring Champion.
“Universal Prince was unplaced in the Rosehill Guineas and was then beaten in the Tulloch so it’s a similar formline going into the race.”
Darci Be Good was at $51 with TAB Sportsbet on Wednesday with Rosehill Guineas winner Laser Hawk holding sway at $3.20 over New Zealand Derby winner Silent Achiever, the only filly in the race, at $4.
Darci Be Good is one of the first crop by outstanding New Zealand racehorse Darci Brahma and is raced by a syndicate of Illawarra Turf Club officials from Kembla Grange, Murray’s home track.
“He was passed in at the Easter Sale for about $50,000 two years ago,” Murray said.
“I had looked at him several times but I didn’t have any clients interested in him.
“I asked the group if they would like to lease him and (breeder) Scott Williams agreed to let them do that.
“He was a bargain and I’m pleased to be able to train him for the Illawarra Turf Club.”
Darci Be Good has earned more than $300,000 so far while the third crop by Darci Brahma averaged $94,000 at this year’s New Zealand Premier Sale at Karaka.
