A rain affected track won’t affect the chances of the odds on favourite Northwest Passage in the Listed $100,000 Schweppes Tasmanian Derby (2200m) at Hobart today.
Jockey Adam Hyeronimus, above on Ecuador winning at Randwick for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, will be aboard Northwest Passage in the Tasmanian Derby. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Hobart track has been rated a soft 5 with the rail in the true position for the Tasmanian Derby meeting after receiving 20mm of rain in the last seven days but Northwest Passage showed his liking for the give out of the ground with a seven and a half lengths win on a soft 6 track in the Listed $100,000 Kevin Sharkie Hobart Guineas (2100m) at Hobart on January 22.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained three year old remains very solid in the betting for the Tasmanian Derby at $1.30 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
The only other runner under the $10 mark is the Patrick Payne trained Matamanoa at $9 while Shadow Prince from the Mick Price stale is marked at $10.
Waterhouse is very happy with the condition of the Northwest Passage heading into the Tasmanian Derby and tweeted this morning that the gelding is in fine order.
“Northwest Passage looking a treat heading into the Listed Tasmanian Derby short priced fav,” Waterhouse said on twitter.
Sydney based jockey Adam Hyeronimus keeps the ride on Northwest Passage after being aboard him for last three outings for two wins and a third.
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 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.
Northwest Passage’s domination of the betting for the Tasmanian Derby has seen virtually no movement among the other runners with the market order remaining reasonable steady.
Second favourite Matamanoa is coming off a last start fourth in a 2040m BenchMark 78 Handicap at Moonee Valley on January 21 while Shadow Prince has to make up almost eleven lengths if he is going to turn the tables on Northwest Passage after finishing fifth in the Hobart Guineas.
