Elusive Quality gelding Induna has shown he is worthy of a late entry into the Victoria Derby after scoring a dashing win in the Geelong Classic.
TAB Sportsbet reacted swiftly to Wednesday’s dominant victory in the 2200m feature and placed him in its Derby market on the fourth line of betting at $10 behind Manawanui ($3.50), Niagara ($5) and Sangster ($9).
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Induna ($5), a last-start 2100m Gosford maiden winner, tracked Perfect Punch ($5) through the race and made a stunning run from midfield to score by 3-1/2 lengths from the Anthony Freedman-trained Cornell ($26) to give Darley the quinella in the event.
Perfect Punch, winner of his last three starts, finished a neck away third.
Trained by Peter Snowden, Induna has now won two of his eight starts and being from the former top staying filly Camarena has great stamina.
“He’s going to run the trip (2500m) and that holds you in good stead for a Derby,” Paul Snowden said.
He said blinkers had turned around the gelding’s form and that Induna was the only likely Derby contender for the stable.
“He went out there at Gosford and had a good sort of kill and Saturday morning I was quietly confident after he worked outstandingly well,” Snowden said.
“Today he just had to justify his spot for the Derby and I thought he was pretty dominant.
“It is up to him now.
“He has a few runs under his belt and he’s a pretty seasoned horse and it was good to see him hit the line today and run through it.”
AAP TURF