Lanercost is one of three Queensland stars competing in heats of the Alabar Victoria Derby on Friday night
A blueblood son of Art Major coming off seven consecutive victories is ‘the dark horse’ of this year’s Alabar Victoria Derby series.
Do you think we might have a classic on our hands?
Major Bronski, a three-quarter brother to stablemate and former outsanding three-year-old Sir Galvinator has travelled to Victoria from the Sunshine State in the shadow of fellow Banana Benders For A Reason and Lanercost.
But respected trainer Stuart Hunter, who also put the polish on super stayer Flashing Red is unperturbed.
“He may not have been beating what the other two have, but he’s run a 1:56 something mile (rate) either three wide or outside the leader at two of his past four, so he’s a serious horse,” Hunter said.
Had it not been for a mystery stomach virus during his two-year-old season which saw the dashing colt on the brink of death, we may already be hailing him the next superstar of Australian racing.
As it is, Major Bronski will roll from gate seven in the second of three Victoria Derby heats from Tabcorp Park on Friday night in relative obscurity. That is until after the race.
“We won’t die wondering,” Hunter said. “He’s a very, very strong horse and Chris (Alford) will be driving him that way.
“He’s travelled well and settled in good so we’ll be racing tough. You wouldn’t want to come all this way if you didn’t think you could win and we’re very confident in the horse.”
Outside of his most conspicuous hurdle on Friday night – Luke McCarthy’s For A Reason (gate five) – Major Bronski will also have to contend with star local and reigning Vicbred champion Grinnersawinner, though that horse fared even worse at the draw, pulling 12.
Whatever happens at Tabcorp Park it would appear that qualification for the final – to be run over 2575-metres on February 6 – rather than premature heroics are at the forefront of Hunter’s mind.
“Whatever he does in the heat, he’ll be better in the final,” Hunter said.
“It shapes as being a wonderful night and a wonderful race. With my horse being a superior stayer, the distance (of the final) will suit him down to the ground, so fingers crossed.”
The first four runners home in each heat will progress to the $200,000 Group 1 final at Moonee Valley.
The Victoria Derby heats highlight a terrific nine-race card from Tabcorp Park with Major Bronski to leave the mobile arm in race six at 9.12pm.
