Derryn on target for Golden Rose

Derryn will fly the flag for the Lindsay Park team in the Golden Rose and co-trainer Tom Dabernig expects the colt to be all the better for his previous Sydney experience.

An impressive winner at Caulfield at the end of July, Derryn was nabbed late by Divine Prophet in the Up And Coming Stakes at Randwick last month.

The colt was forced to race out of his comfort zone from barrier seven of nine and Dabernig is counting on a better gate to help his cause.

“I thought it was a good run last start. We sat outside the leader (Thronum) and we put that horse away but the winner came from back and grabbed us late,” Dabernig said.

“I think he’ll be better for having that run, and when he won at Caulfield we rode him under no pressure and he flew late.

“So hopefully we can get a draw where we can let him find his feet a bit more. I think we rode him a bit out of his pattern last time.

“I’m sure it’s going to be really hard race but I think he’s a good chance.”

Godolphin’s Astern holds $4.40 favouritism over Omei Sword ($4.60) but the latter is not a certain starter.

The Hawkes Racing-trained Divine Prophet is at $6 with Derryn and Yankee Rose sharing the next line at $11.

Dabernig, who trains in partnership with David and Ben Hayes, said Derryn had gone back to the Lindsay Park farm in Victoria after his Sydney run.

“We brought him back to the farm at Euroa because he had three weeks between runs, and he’s great,” Dabernig said.

“He’s a pretty straightforward horse to train and he’s had the benefit of that run up there now.”

Dabernig said the colt was would travel back to Sydney during the week.

The Lindsay Park team will be well-represented at Flemington on Saturday with their runners to include Rising Romance and He Or She in the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).