The Peter Moody stable will fire in a double attack in an attempt to win its third Queensland Derby at Doomben on Saturday.
Upham, above, is one of two runners Peter Moody will have in the Queensland Derby. Photo by Daniel Costello.
The Group 1 $600,000 Channel 7 Queensland Derby will be run at Doomben this year because its traditional home at Eagle Farm is currently out of contention because of a total track reconstruction and the distance will be reduced to 2200m from 2400m.
Moody won the blue riband classic in 2008 with his tough filly Riva San and then collected his second Queensland Derby trophy with Brambles in 2012.
This year the multiple premiership winning trainer will saddle up top qualifier Upham and the slightly disappointing Inauguration.
Upham has been racing most consistently during the Queensland Winter Carnival with seconds in the Group 3 $125,000 Surfers Paradise RSL Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at the Gold Coast on April 25 and in the Group 3 $125,000 Mitty’s Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 9 before winning the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2020m) at Doomben on May 23.
“He’s raced consistently his whole preparation.” Moody told AAP.
“He was strong through the line which is a positive sign for the Queensland Derby when he steps up to the 2200 metres.”
But in bold statement Moody considers Inauguration as the better chance of the two even though the Authorized gelding has failed to make an impression at his three Queensland starts in the same races as Upham went around in.
Moody claims Inauguration has had no luck this campaign especially in the Grand Prix Stakes when he was forced to race up near the lead before fading to finish fourteenth behind his stablemate.
At his two previous starts Inauguration was ninth in the Gunsynd Classic followed by a fifth in the Rough Habit Plate.
“He should have won (The Grand Prix). He was going to get a perfect spot and something bumped him out three wide at the turn into the back straight,” Moody said.
“He had to take off before acceptances, which probably won the other horse the race, but gee it was a tough effort.”
“Upham went great but I think the other bloke will win the Derby, especially on a wet track. He is a horse that has had no luck.”
The current Queensland Derby market order at Ladbrokes.com.au has the Queensland Oaks winner Winx at the head of the betting at $3 but trainer Chris Waller is shying away from a start and has indicated that the filly will head to the paddock now before being prepared for a Spring Carnival campaign.
Kiwi three year old Werther heads the rest of the field at $4 ahead of Master Of Arts at $5 with Upham sharing the next line of betting with the Waller trained Sadler’s Lake at $9 while Inauguration is marked as a $19 chance.
