Jockey Larry Cassidy believes three-year-old Order Again has one big advantage in the Group One Queensland Derby – it will be run at Eagle Farm.
Order Again came from the back in the field to run an eye-catching second to Shocking Luck in the Group Three Rough Habit Plate at Doomben on Saturday.
At his previous start he won a restricted race at Eagle Farm by 7-1/2 lengths on a wet track.
The Derby (2400m) is on June 10 and Cassidy is growing in confidence he can win the race for a third time.
The most recent of Cassidy’s 45 Group One wins was on Court Ruler in the 2009 Queensland Derby and he also won the race on Freemason in 2000.
“I know the margin was pretty big in Shocking Luck’s favour but the barrier (13) was no help to Order Again,” Cassidy said.
“We had to get a long way back and make up ground. If I could have settled three lengths closer it could have been a different story.”
“But one thing I am keen about is that the Derby will be run at Eagle Farm. Order Again has shown he loves the surface and a lot of horses don’t handle it.”
“That is a big advantage, especially if it is a bit wet.”
Order Again’s trainer Brian Smith was pleased with his Rough Habit run as the gelding has had a few minor issues in recent times.
“But he has only $62,000 in the bank and I hope he has enough prize money to make the Derby field,’ Smith said.
