Top Queensland Derby contender Sadler’s Lake heads up the nominations for the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.
The Chris Waller trained Saddler’s Lake heads up the nominations for the Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Sadler’s Lake is one of twenty-one entries for the Grand Prix Stakes and is one of three for the all powerful Chris Waller stable, the others being Redoutable Heart and Quick Strike.
Sadler’s Lake led all of the way to record an easy win over several of the Grand Prix Stakes nominated three year olds in the Group 3 $125,000 Mitty’s Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 9 and is the $6.50 second favourite behind stablemate Winx ($5.50) for the Group 1 $600,000 Channel 7 Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben on June 6.
Upham, Jumbo Prince, Chillin With Dylan and Inauguration all finished behind Sadler’s Lake in the Rough Habit and will get another chance to take on the Waller trained three year old this weekend.
The Peter Moody trained Upham has run consistent races at his two Queensland starts collecting the runner’s up cheque twice with a second to Worthy Cause in the Group 3 $125,000 Surfers Paradise RSL Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at the Gold Coast on April 25 followed by a second to Sadler’s Lake in the Rough Habit Plate.
While his stablemate Inauguration ran a slightly improved race last start when fifth in the Rough Habit Plate following his ninth in the Gunsynd Classic.
Sunshine Coast trained colt Worthy Cause is also among the nominations for the Grand Prix Stakes and is also on his way to the Queensland Derby.
The John Zielke trained Worthy Cause created a big impression with a two lengths win in the Gunsynd Classic and then dropped back in distance to finish third to Winx in the Group 3 $125,000 XXXX Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 16.
Magicool looks like heading to Brisbane for the Grand Prix Stakes after running fourth to boom Western Australian filly Delicacy in the Group 1 $500,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville last Saturday week.
Master Of Arts from the Darren Weir stable is also heading north and will be tested in tougher company after winning a 2000m three year old event at Caulfield on May 2.
Gai Waterhouse has taken over the preparation of former Kiwi trained three year old Dee I Cee and he will be tested for Queensland Derby start in the Grand Prix Stakes.
Two starts back Dee I Cee finished fourth to Mongolian Khan in the Group 1 NZ$750,000 TV3 NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on February 28.
