Promising three-year-old Trusty Lad is set to confirm trainer Matt Kropp’s belief he will make a top stayer when he steps out over a middle distance at Doomben.
Trusty Lad will be among the favourites for Saturday’s heat of the Eagle Way Stayers Series (2000m) at Doomben.
The Eagle Way, named for the 2016 Queensland Derby winner, is designed to encourage trainers to test their three-year-olds as possible Derby or Oaks horses next year.
The first two heats were run up to 1600m and Kropp has been keen to get Trusty Lad out to a longer trip.
“He wasn’t suited when the early pace was slow so he did a good job to run fourth over 1600m two weeks ago,” Kropp said.
Kropp bought Trusty Lad in New Zealand as a distance prospect
“We got him at the second lot of Karaka sales and it looks like being a good buy,” he said
Trusty Lad won over 1600m at Doomben in August and Kropp decided on a Queensland Derby campaign.
In-form jockey James Orman will stick with Trusty Lad on Saturday.
Trainer Chris Munce also hopes to confirm Ceol Na Mara as a Queensland Oaks hopeful in the Eagle Way race.
Ceol Na Mara won her last start in a heat of the series over 1600m.
“I have always had in the back of my mind she might make an Oaks filly,” Munce said.
