Not only was Philippi’s Tulloch Stakes win a confidence booster for Mick Kent heading to Saturday’s Australian Derby, it also lifted the spirits of rival trainer Peter Gelagotis.
The Gelagotis-trained Hvasstan put in the worst performance of his career in the Rosehill Guineas won by Derby favourite It’s A Dundeel, beating just one other runner after veering off at the turn.
Hvasstan winning the Le Pines Funerals Handicap at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
He came to the Rosehill Guineas on the back of a win over Philippi in the Group Two Alister Clarke Stakes at Moonee Valley.
First thoughts were that Hvasstan just hadn’t handled the right handed way of running but Gelagotis said his work since indicated he didn’t have a problem.
“We are exposing him on a daily basis and he seems comfortable,” Gelagotis said.
“It’s hard to justify his performance in the Guineas but he might have been a victim of circumstances.
“We forced him forward. Perhaps we should have let him relax and find his feet.
“Or maybe he didn’t handle the occasion.
“I was pleased to see Philippi win on Saturday. It franks my horse’s form.
“Nothing went right for him in the Guineas so I’m hoping he turns it around on Saturday.
“It won’t just be a two-horse race.”
The two horses favoured to fight it out are It’s A Dundeel and Saturday’s BMW winner Fiveandahalfstar who did not run in the Rosehill Guineas.
The two have raced against each other just once in the Victoria Derby with Fiveandahalfstar the surprise winner and It’s A Dundeel the unplaced favourite.
Hvasstan finished fourth, the same position he filled in last month’s Australian Guineas.
“He deserves at least a Group One placing and I can’t wait to get there on Saturday,” Gelagotis said.
It’s A Dundeel is the $1.50 favourite to complete Sydney’s three-year-old triple crown with Fiveandahalfstar at $4, Philippi $8. Hvasstan is a $26 chance ahead of Tuesday’s declaration of the final field.
