HOW much gate speed does Vincent have?
That’s the question everyone was asking after All Stars’ NSW Derby favourite drew the pole in Saturday night’s $200,000 feature at Menangle.
If he holds the lead from the pole, it is hard to Vincent being beaten on what he’s shown winning his heats of the Victoria and NSW Derbys.
But in Vincent’s 10 starts, he has never been seriously asked to run off the gate. The closest was from gate two in a ho-hum Geelong race on January 19 when Mark Purdon asked a little of him before allowing a horse on his outside to cross.
The All Stars’ other Derby finalists had mixed draws with Motu Meteor landing gate five and Ultimate Machete in gate seven. They will move in one spot if first emergency Maxentius (gate three) doesn’t gain a start.
The other key barriers were noted quick beginner and Victoria Derby winner Our Little General drawn ideally in gate two, while last week’s shock heat winner Atomic Red right out wide in gate nine and needing plenty of luck.
After the Derby draw, the Aussie TAB re-opened Vincent a $2.30 favourite from Ultimate Machete ($2.50), Motu Meteor ($8), Our Little General ($9) and Atomic Red ($10).
In the NSW Oaks, the All Stars’ unbeaten filly Partyon will some luck from an inside back row draw (gate 11). She does follow out Takara Truffle (gate one), but will have plenty of traffic to contend with early to avoid being pocketed on the marker pegs.
Partyon’s awkward draw combined with a horror alley for her main danger, Petacular (outside back row, gate 14), has opened-up the Oaks.
The benefactor has been emerging Victorian filly Miss Graceland, who was well-held by Petacular in the heat, but should be further improved and had a real advantage with her gate speed from gate five.
Top local hope Dont Think Twice, who had no luck in her heat, faces a challenge from the extreme outside (gate 10).
Despite their bad draws, Partyon ($2.50) and Petacular ($2.60) are still vying for favouritism on the Aussie TAB for the Oaks. Takara Truffle ($7) and Miss Graceland ($7.50) are next in line.
In the Group 1 Ladyship Mile, the draws could not have been worse for the All Stars’ glamour pair Our Dream About Me (gate nine) and A Piccadilly Princess (10). They will start from the two outside draws on the front row.
Aussie champ Frith, who is second-up after a good third to Cyclone Kate in her qualifier, is renowned for her early speed and looks the leader from an ideal gate two.
The other classy Kiwi mare Rocker Band, who blasted across to lead and upset A Piccadilly Princess at Melton last time, is also right in the mix from barrier three.
The other key runners are Cyclone Kate (gate five) and Ameretto (four).
The draw has seen Our Dream About Me open much bigger odds tha people expected with the Aussie TAB at $2.25 from A Piccadilly Princess ($3.60).
Next in the market are Frith ($5.50), Cyclone Kate ($7.50) and Rocker Band ($8.50).
HOW much gate speed does Vincent have?
That’s the question everyone was asking after All Stars’ NSW Derby favourite drew the pole in Saturday night’s $200,000 feature at Menangle.
If he holds the lead from the pole, it is hard to Vincent being beaten on what he’s shown winning his heats of the Victoria and NSW Derbys.
But in Vincent’s 10 starts, he has never been seriously asked to run off the gate. The closest was from gate two in a ho-hum Geelong race on January 19 when Mark Purdon asked a little of him before allowing a horse on his outside to cross.
The All Stars’ other Derby finalists had mixed draws with Motu Meteor landing gate five and Ultimate Machete in gate seven. They will move in one spot if first emergency Maxentius (gate three) doesn’t gain a start.
The other key barriers were noted quick beginner and Victoria Derby winner Our Little General drawn ideally in gate two, while last week’s shock heat winner Atomic Red right out wide in gate nine and needing plenty of luck.
After the Derby draw, the Aussie TAB re-opened Vincent a $2.30 favourite from Ultimate Machete ($2.50), Motu Meteor ($8), Our Little General ($9) and Atomic Red ($10).
In the NSW Oaks, the All Stars’ unbeaten filly Partyon will some luck from an inside back row draw (gate 11). She does follow out Takara Truffle (gate one), but will have plenty of traffic to contend with early to avoid being pocketed on the marker pegs.
Partyon’s awkward draw combined with a horror alley for her main danger, Petacular (outside back row, gate 14), has opened-up the Oaks.
The benefactor has been emerging Victorian filly Miss Graceland, who was well-held by Petacular in the heat, but should be further improved and had a real advantage with her gate speed from gate five.
Top local hope Dont Think Twice, who had no luck in her heat, faces a challenge from the extreme outside (gate 10).
Despite their bad draws, Partyon ($2.50) and Petacular ($2.60) are still vying for favouritism on the Aussie TAB for the Oaks. Takara Truffle ($7) and Miss Graceland ($7.50) are next in line.
In the Group 1 Ladyship Mile, the draws could not have been worse for the All Stars’ glamour pair Our Dream About Me (gate nine) and A Piccadilly Princess (10). They will start from the two outside draws on the front row.
Aussie champ Frith, who is second-up after a good third to Cyclone Kate in her qualifier, is renowned for her early speed and looks the leader from an ideal gate two.
The other classy Kiwi mare Rocker Band, who blasted across to lead and upset A Piccadilly Princess at Melton last time, is also right in the mix from barrier three.
The other key runners are Cyclone Kate (gate five) and Ameretto (four).
The draw has seen Our Dream About Me open much bigger odds tha people expected with the Aussie TAB at $2.25 from A Piccadilly Princess ($3.60).
Next in the market are Frith ($5.50), Cyclone Kate ($7.50) and Rocker Band ($8.50).
