Kia Ora Koutou is now on the second line of 2015 Victoria Derby betting and trainer Adam Durrant is confident that the Western Australian stayer can deliver him his maiden race win in Victoria.
Adam Durrant believes that Kia Ora Koutou is the equal of the 2012 Railways Stakes winner Mr Moet. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Kia Ora Koutou made his racing debut with a strong win at Pinjarra on August 27 and he proved that win was no fluke when he hit the line strongly to take out the Westspeed Plate (1400m) at Belmont Park on September 5.
The Blackfriars gelding made it three wins from as many starts at Belmont Park on September 19 and he stamped himself as a genuine Victoria Derby contender when he outstayed his rivals over 2200 metres on October 3.
Durrant was thrilled with the way that Kia Ora Koutou savaged the line in the final stages of his Victoria Derby lead-up and he believes that if the three-year-old performs at his best he will be very tough to beat in the 2015 Victoria Derby.
“It gave us the guide that we needed,” Durrant said.
“The way he ran through the line over 2200 metres there was no doubt whatsoever for me that the distance isn’t going to be his issue.
“He came through the run really well and he has trained on really well since.
“He has arrived safe and sound and he has done really well since he has arrived.
“Hopefully the horse that I galloped today turns up at Flemington on Saturday and if he does he is going to take a stack of beating.”
Durrant took out the 2012 edition of the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) with Mr Moet and the same horse finished a close third in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m), but he is still chasing his maiden race win in Victoria.
The leading Western Australian trainer said that he had previously gone close with the likes of Mr Moet and Real Love, but he believes that Kia Ora Koutou may be the best horse that he has even brought to Victoria and would love nothing more than to see him take out the 2015 Victoria Derby.
“He is just one of those horses that has done everything I have ever asked of him and he has cleared every sort of hurdle that we have thrown at him,” Durrant said.
“I have had a couple that have been competitive without winning here so far, but I think this is the best horse that I have brought across.
“I put this horse into a similar sort of mould as those horses.
“Hopefully he can knock off our maiden win over here.”
Kira Ora Koutou is currently available at 2015 Victoria Derby odds of $7.50 with Ladbrokes and he is on the second line of betting behind dominant favourite Tarzino ($2.40).
You can score the best Victoria Derby odds with Ladbrokes, who will offer Best Tote or Starting Price +20% for every single race at Flemington on Saturday.
