Queensland Oaks victor Gondokoro is a strong chance to back up in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm.
Gondokoro winning the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Trainer Pat Carey has reported that Gondokoro has pulled up in fine fettle and will he will push ahead and accept for Saturday’s classic after the Zabeel filly scored a convincing win in the Group 1 $400,000 XXXX Gold Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
“She’s pulled up good, so that’s a tick,” Carey said.
“We’re quite happy with he, she pulled up sound, which is important.
“I’d say that she’ll probably be accepted for, unless something changes.”
“We’ve got until Wednesday to make the call which gives me time to talk it over with the owners and see where we head next.”
“I wanted to get past the Oaks first before I thought about anything else for her but she’s been nominated and paid up all the way through for the Derby.
The Bart Cummings trained Dariana was the last filly to win the Queensland Derby in 2010 after taking no part in the Queensland Oaks the week before when she stood in the boxes and refused to jump.
Last year kiwi filly Quintessential went close to landing the double with a second the Peter Moody trained Brambles after winning the Queensland Oaks in a quagmire the weekend before.
Carey hasn’t ruled out or confirmed a Spring preparation for Gondokoro and an Autumn campaign could be the preferred option.
“There is no guarantee of a spring preparation when all those imported horses come into Melbourne,” Carey said.
“The obvious race for us is the BMW in the autumn.”
Owner Trevor Delroy fulfilled a lifelong ambition to breed an Oaks winner and this followed the win of Gondokoro’s full brother Zabeelionaire, whom he also bred, in last year’s Group 1 $500,000 Centrebet South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.
“Trevor bought this filly’s mother Kisumu specifically to go to Zabeel,” Carey said.
“He bred and sold this filly’s brother Zabeelionaire who won the South Australian Derby and winning the Oaks was the icing on the cake for him.”
Gondokoro is currently a $8.50 chance in the Queensland Derby with kiwi three year old Survived heading the market at $3.40.
The Chris Waller trained Hawkspur, a winner at his last two Winter Carnival starts, is next in the betting at $4.40 with Rhythm To Spare at $5 after finishing second to Hawkspur in the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on May 25.
