The Queensland Derby aspirations for Different Gravy will go on the line when he steps out at Flemington.
Trainer Henry Dwyer set his sights on the northern states Derby after Different Gravy scored in a Listed race over 1800m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year.
Dwyer had originally planned a different route to the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 30, and it did not include the Trevor Clarke Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Originally Different Gravy was to contest the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday via a start in Sydney, but an underwhelming first-up run at Caulfield over 1600m in March put an end to those plans.
“Admittedly we knew he was underdone but I thought he would go better at Caulfield,” Dwyer said.
“I didn’t want to send him up to Sydney off the back of that as I needed him to do something, so Adelaide was an easier option.
“He improved somewhat but still wasn’t as good as he can be, so we’ve left him down here to give ourselves another chance before we pull the trigger and send him to Queensland.
“He needs to improve again, which I think he can and I think he will, but I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him this prep.”
Following his fourth in the Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville on April 11, Different Gravy won a trial at Caulfield Heath in blinkers, headgear he will wear on Saturday.
Dwyer said the return to Flemington and the rise to 2000m was ideal for Different Gravy who only needs to run well to book a trip north.
“I want to see him back at Flemington, a nice big track,” Dwyer said.
“A wide barrier is not a bad thing for him as it will give him a bit of space and room to move, so that will give him every chance.
“He’s carrying 7-½ kilos more than Matt Cumani’s horse (Brave Danza) that was on level weights when he beat him at Flemington in the spring.
“It’s always a challenge going through benchmark races against progressive horses that have a lot less weight than you.
“He doesn’t necessarily have to win, and I’m not saying he can’t, but as long as he finished in the top three or four, I would be confident enough that that would be a good enough run to go to Queensland.”
