Telepathic In Career Best Condition Ahead Of Queensland Derby

Trainer Donna Logan believes that Telepathic is in the best condition of her career ahead of the 2014 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Telepathic flashed home to finish second behind Amexed in her Australian racing debut in the Rough Habit Plate.

Telepathic flashed home to finish second behind Amexed in her Australian racing debut in the Rough Habit Plate. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Telepathic started her winter preparation with two victories in New Zealand and made her Australian racing debut with fast-finishing second in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 10.

The Mossman filly was well-backed in the lead-up to the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on May 24 and battled home fairly to finish fifth behind Vilanova, but has been a forgotten horse heading into the Queensland Derby this weekend.

Logan has been happy with both of Telepathic’s runs in Australia and the 2014 Australian Oaks winning trainer told New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing that she is thrilled with the condition of the three-year-old heading into the Group 1 event this weekend.

“She’s very bright and I couldn’t be happier with the horse,” Logan said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had her as well as she is.

“She’s 100 per cent fit and ready for Saturday.”

James McDonald was booked to ride Telepathic in the Queensland Derby, but received a seven meeting suspension for careless riding on The Big Bomber in the At Vinery Maiden Plate last Wednesday, which led to the spectacular fall of jockey Tye Angland.

Mark Du Plessis will retain the ride on Telepathic and Logan admits that the leading Kiwi jockey will need to be at his best after the talented filly was allocated barrier 16 for the 2014 Queensland Derby; with Logan far from thrilled with the ride that Du Plessis gave Telepathic in the Grand Prix Stakes last start.

“If we’d drawn a good alley I would have been super confident, but we’ve got to overcome this barrier draw,” Logan sad

“It was a very gutsy effort last time considering; she’d had a hard race, parked three wide, but she was still there fighting at the furlong.

“She had every reason to pack up, pull the tent up and run last, but she didn’t.

“She’s tough and she fought on well and she did come out of it surprisingly well.”

Telepathic is currently available at 2014 Queensland Derby odds of $12; with Troy Corstens-trained Pinstripe Lane ($4.80) remaining a narrow favourite from Grand Prix Stakes winner Vilanova ($5), the consistent Elusive Runner ($5) and Queensland Oaks fourth placegetter Rock Diva ($9).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.