Although there are less than two days until acceptances are taken for Queensland’s feature three year old race, the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), it still remains unclear as to who will run in the race.
Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady is unlikely to back up, while the connections of Oaks placegetters Becerra and Shez Sinsational are considering paying late entry fees to run in the Derby.
Zabeel filly Heidilicious, who ran fifth in the Oaks, will trial tomorrow morning in order to gain a barrier clearance after she bungled the start for the second consecutive time last week.
If she is passed by stewards, she will take her place in the Derby.
Meanwhile, Darley are hoping to have three runners – Yulalona, Zachary and the highly fancied Peck, who is stranded down the order.
Trainer Peter Snowden told Sky Racing they would keep Zachary in Sydney to run in an 1800m three year old race if it meant Peck gained a start.
The placegetters behind Yulalona in Sydney last start, King Usain and Charing Cross, are both headed for the Derby.
However, trainer Chris Hyland is concerned that King Usain may not gain a start.
Other horses that will accept but are uncertain to get a run are equal second favourite The Chevron and dominant last start winner Quarterbar.
Both horses have been entered for the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) against the older horses in case they fail to make the final Derby field.
Despite an indifferent run against the older horses at Rosehill last weekend, the Mick Kent-trained Oforawesome will continue on to Brisbane to run in the Derby.
The Neville Saunders-trained Equissential is nominated for the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) and is likely to run in that race.
Three horses that definitely won’t run are Echoes of Heaven, who has contracted a severe stomach infection, In A Tangle, who failed in the Oaks, and Cash ‘N’ Style.
Although there is no information about some horses, here is how the order of entry stands at the moment:
1. Scarlett Lady (unlikely)
2. Shadows in the Sun
3. Shootoff
4. Turnitup
5. Becerra (not nominated)
6. Yulalona
7. Equissential (Qld Guineas)
8. Hour of Peril
9. Zachary (depends on Peck)
10. Diamond Jim
11. Mr Light Blue
12. Shez Sinsational (not nominated)
13. Charing Cross
14. Single
15. Heidilicious
16. Leading
17. Oforawesome
18. Alma’s Fury
———————–
19. Playaction
20. Satch
21. Quarterbar
22. From London
23. Peck
24. The Chevron
25. King Usain
Acceptances are taken at 9am on Wednesday.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
