Lucques has a long way to go to join his half-brothers as part of the Victoria Derby story but he has to start somewhere.
Lucques is a half-brother to the 2008 Victoria Derby winner Rebel Raider while another half-brother Shamoline Warrior was a $3 favourite for the 2009 edition of the event but a lung infection forced his withdrawal on race morning.
Lucques’s Derby pedigree is enhanced by his sire High Chaparral, the sire of the 2009 Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul.
Monaco Consul also featured in High Chaparral’s 2010 Australian Derby trifecta after he finished third behind Shoot Out and the subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Descarado.
Flemington training partners Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra have accepted to run Lucques in Saturday’s Grand Hotel Frankston Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield but could start the horse’s career at Geelong on Friday.
Ellerton said Lucques was unlikely to make the necessary physical improvement to be in this year’s Victoria Derby but was a staying prospect for the autumn.
“He’s going to be a nice horse but he’s a light, immature horse that probably needs a bit more time,” Ellerton said.
“Another few months in the spelling paddock would see him develop a lot more but he’s done enough for us to have a look at him now.”
Bookmakers have kept Lucques safe at $9 in early betting at Caulfield while the Tony McEvoy-trained Affirmation sits atop the first market at $3.
The Ellerton and Zahra-trained filly Whistle Baby is an $8 hope to claim the Champagne Pommery Masters Handicap (1200m).
Whistle Baby has struggled in two runs back from a 21-week spell but Ellerton said drawing barrier one has not helped her bid to return to her best form.
“The way the track will probably be racing makes barrier one not the best place to be,” Ellerton said.
