The Ciaron Maher stable knows what it takes to win a Derby with a promising three-year-old stayer and they hope Dad And Dave fits the bill.
Dad And Dave will chase a second win in the Tasmanian Derby for the Maher stable when he runs in the Listed race over 2200m at Hobart on Friday night.
Jack Turnbull, Maher’s National Assistant-Trainer, said the stable had identified Dad And Dave as a Derby horse before he had won his maiden at Kyneton in December.
“Which Derby we weren’t sure,” Turnbull said.
“But he’s got here at the right time.
“When he ran and won his maiden, it didn’t scream to set him for any other Derby at the moment, so we’ll see how he runs on Friday night but there is the potential to come back and look at Adelaide if he was still sound and well.”
Maher’s previous Tasmanian Derby winner Explosive Jack, who scored in 2021, went on to win the Australian Derby at Randwick and the South Australian Derby at Morphettville before running third in the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.
Dad And Dave enters Friday night’s race having taken out the Listed Launceston Guineas (2000m) at his most recent start.
The gelding will be looking to emulate the feats of Dunkel (2023), Bold Soul (2024) and Likeakalix last year as three-year-olds to complete the double.
Turnbull said it was a good opportunity to get some nice prize money for a young up-and-coming stayer Dad And Dave.
“It’s good racing down there, the prize money is decent, they look after you really well and the facilities are really great,” Turnbull said.
“It’s only a short flight and it’s attractive to go there.
“He’s a lighter-framed horse that has always been straight forward and is one we have been wanting to get out a trip.
“The 2200 metres, it’s a nice step for him. He’s had a good foundation, and it doesn’t look too strong a race.”
