Wonderfully Made cleared to chase WA Derby glory after injury scare

Trainer Dan Morton has given his WA Derby favourite Wonderfully Made a clean bill of health and a vote of confidence going into Saturday’s Group 2 assignment.

The filly trounced her field in the WA Oaks over 2400m on April 1, winning by an impressive 4.18 length margin, but a post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the near foreleg with Morton being advised by stewards that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to any future trial or race.

“It turns out it was a foot that probably bruised up a bit,” explained Morton. “We put her in cotton wool after that and, as of this week, she has worked as per normal, and I think she is fine.

“It was a bit of a luxury because we’ve got time up out sleeve because we are not chasing fitness. She is a very fit filly now,” continued Morton, “so we can just slide through the week.

“She’s a beautiful filly. There is a lot of upside to her.”

Wonderfully Made is the current Derby favourite at $2.30, but she is challenged strongly for that position by the Grant and Alana Williams trained Sentimental Legend at $2.60.

Sentimental Legend also comes into the Derby off the back of a feature race victory, having saluted in comfortable fashion over 2200m in the Listed Melvista Stakes where he was ridden by Lucy Fiore in the absence of his regular jockey willie Pike,

Pike returns to the saddle on Sentimental Legend on Saturday with Fiore staying aboard Wonderfully Made, who she partnered to victory in the WA Oaks.

The Sean and Jake Casey trained Aberdeen Flyer ($7), who will be ridden by Brad Parnham, is the only other runner in the nine horse field quoted at single figure odds.

Aberdeen Flyer finished second to Sentimental Legend in the Melvista in his last start.

Masmelo, who won the Listed Natasha Stakes, in which Wonderfully Made finished third, disappointed last time out in the Oaks as the $2.35 second favourite, could be the dark horse in the race as she is well capable of bouncing back here.

She is currently quoted at the tempting odds of $14.