Trainer Kelso Wood will roll the dice once more at Doomben in a final attempt to qualify Man From Oz for the Group One Queensland Derby on Saturday week.
Man From Oz, who will tackle Wednesday’s B105 Handicap (2240m), missed a start when named an emergency for the Group Three Rough Habit Plate at Doomben on May 14.
Wood was subsequently forced to start Man From Oz in open company at the Gold Coast the following week which disrupted his Derby program.
Although the three-year-old could manage only third over 1800 metres to Yummy, Wood wasn’t disappointed.
“Some people were a bit disappointed with his run at the Gold Coast but I wasn’t,” Wood said.
“I thought it was quite a good run considering he was up against open company horses and he was caught wide and got pushed even wider.”
However, Wood knows time is running out for the son of General Nediym if he’s to make it into the Queensland Derby (2400m) field.
“This is his last chance and he’ll need win to get into the Derby,” Wood said.
“He probably needs the prizemoney to lift him up the order.”
Man From Oz was ridden by Kevin Forrester at the Gold Coast but will be reunited with regular rider Chris Munce for his crucial Derby test.
New Zealander Fives’A Diamond is in a similar position to Man From Oz and also needs to win to book a Queensland Derby start.
Trainer Allan Sharrock was delighted with Fives’A Diamond who worked alongside Group One Queensland Oaks fancy Shez Sinsational at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
“He’s owned by Dick Karreman who has ties in Queensland and he’s come over here because of the lack of prizemoney back home,” Sharrock said.
“He’ll probably end up staying on to race over here after this campaign.
“I’ve nominated him for the Derby but he’ll probably need to win tomorrow to make the field.
“He worked with Shez Sinsational on Saturday morning. He probably didn’t work quite as well as her but enough to go well tomorrow.”
Fives’A Diamond, a son of Traditionally, has won two of his eight starts including a last-start victory at Pukekura on May 14.
“It was a good win on a bog track but I prefer him on a dry track,” Sharrock said.
AAP TURF
