Northwest Passage odds on favourite for Tasmanian Derby

Lightly raced three year old Northwest Passage will go to the post as an odds on favourite for the Listed $100,000 Schweppes Tasmanian Derby (2200m) at Hobart on Friday.

Jockey Noel Callow, above, rides Shadow Prince in the Tasmanian Derby at Hobart. Photo by Steve Hart.

Jockey Noel Callow, above, rides Shadow Prince in the Tasmanian Derby at Hobart. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Northwest Passage is the winner of three of his four race starts and has been made the $1.35 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Tasmanian Derby after a last start seven and a half lengths win in the Listed $100,000 Kevin Sharkie Hobart Guineas (2100m) at Hobart on January 22.

Sydney based jockey Adam Hyeronimus keeps the ride on the So You Think gelding who has drawn barrier five in the nine horse Tasmanian Derby field.

Apprentice Rachel King was aboard Northwest Passage when he won on debut in a 1300m Maiden at Hawkesbury on November 26 but Hyeronimus has been in the saddle for his next three starts.

The pair combined for a win in a 1900m BenchMark 64 Handicap at Canterbury on December 9 before running third in an 1800m BenchMark 67 Handicap at Randwick on January 2 prior to their win in the Hobart Guineas.

The closest to Northwest Passage in the betting is the Patrick Payne trained Matamanoa at $9 just ahead of Mick Price’s Shadow Prince at $10.

Matamanoa has drawn nicely at barrier three with Luke Currie taking over from apprentice Beau Mertens who was aboard the gelding last start when fourth in a 2040m BenchMark 78 Handicap at Moonee Valley on January 21.

Shadow Prince has set the pace at his last two runs and Noel Callow is likely to go forward again after the grey draw the outside gate in the nine horse field.

The Darren Weir trained Igitur is next in the market order at $11 while Trusted Warrior is the best of the locals at $15.

Brendon McCoull takes over from Sigrid Carr on Trusted Warrior who will have to make up over seven and a half lengths on Northwest Passage after finishing third to that gelding in the Hobart Guineas.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.