Trainer Paul Messara is not complaining but he does harbour some reservations about the depth of next month’s Group One Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.
Messara has strong claims in the 2400m feature on June 11 with Chateau Fort who lines up in the Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m) at Doomben on Saturday.
The three-year-old surprised Messara with his brilliant victory in the Group Three Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm last month.
“I was concerned he might find 1600 metres too short last time but he ran home strongly and it was a good win,” Messara said.
“It probably wasn’t really a Group Three race and was more worthy of being a Listed race.
“I’m not sure what the Derby field will be like this year.
“I think my bloke is as good a chance as any Queenslander but we really haven’t seen any of the other Derby chances step out.
“The New Zealanders and some of the Victorians haven’t appeared yet.”
In latest Queensland Derby markets with TAB Sportsbet, the Graeme Rogerson-trained Shootoff is $5 favourite ahead of Peter Snowden’s Peck at $9 with Chateau Fort and Fibrillation on the third line at $13.
Shootoff won the Group Three Frank Packer Plate at Randwick in April and confirmed his Queensland Derby favouritism with his last start victory in the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Canterbury on Saturday.
Messara can’t fault Chateau Fort since the colt maintained his unbeaten record this campaign with his Gunsynd Classic triumph.
Chateau Fort, a son of Kempinsky, had been restricted to racing at Messara’s home base at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley winning twice from three starts prior to his Queensland debut.
“He’s trained on well and this field tomorrow looks very similar to the Gunsynd,” he said.
“I’ve always believed he’ll make a good stayer later on, that’s why I wasn’t that confident with him over 1600 metres last time.
“He’ll go better in races beyond 2000 metres.”
Chateau Fort was bred by Messara’s grandfather, Maurice Messara, but was regarded as being too immature to campaign during the Sydney autumn.
Maurice Messara retained a half share in the ownership of Chateau Fort after giving the other half away as a wedding present to Paul Messara’s brother, Michael.
AAP TURF
