Izaha continued his journey of developing into a top-line pacer with victory in the $40,000 Roberts Equine Supplies Globe Derby Final over 2200 metres on Friday night in Launceston.
The Roll With Joe-Our Zellweger three-year-old (pictured-inside), trained and driven by Todd Rattray, took his career record to six wins from 11 starts with an exciting half-neck victory over Feelin Dusty with Dufrense five metres away third.
“When I saw the draw I was a little worried but we ran the gate from the second line and when Rohan dropped anchor on Dufrense up outside the leader turning in to the back I thought it was time to make a move,” said Todd.
“He was still travelling well to the home turn, Feelin Dusty was still right there but I was working on the theory my main danger was Dufrense which I had jammed up behind me so it was a matter of waiting as long as I could to go for him and when I did he responded just the way I hoped, he finished off in 57.4 seconds but it was more a tactically run race than a speed-test.”
Izaha is drawing his fair share of comparisons to his brilliant half-brother Harjeet, winner of this season’s $75,000 Maxfield Drilling Easter Cup and $40,000 Raider Stakes.
“Izaha has a lot of speed, if we can work on his strength we may have another Harjeeet on our hands next season, you never know but you can always hope,” said a wishful Rattray.
“Dad has worked hard on the breeding side of the business, he’s done a great job, Izaha’s sire Roll With Joe is a full brother to champion sire Bettors Delight but nowhere near the price, he is also the sire of Ignatius and Arts Treasure that James has up in New South Wales so he’s certainly making a name for himself in the breeding world.”
As for Izaha’s immediate future, Todd is looking at sending the Globe Derby winner to the paddock for a well-deserved break.
“I was contemplating the Victorian Sires Series with him, but now I’m swaying toward a spell, we have no intentions of knocking him around that’s for sure.”
Leading Victorian trainer Emma Stewart and champion reinsman Chris Alford made it a night to remember bagging five winners on the card including the $40,000 6TYo Bandbox Final with Nostra Beach.
The Sombeachsomewhere-Amarillen filly, bred by the late Rick Hinds and wife Naomi made a one-act affair of the Three-Year-Old Fillies Division cruising to 16.3-metre victory over the Paul Hill prepared Ideal Bliss with Bremusa finishing third, 49.3-metres from the winner.
Two records went by the wayside during the night, Shes Magnetic shaving .1 of a second off the 1.57.3 record jointly held by 2010 Australian Derby winner Lanercost and local star Melolyn.
Another Safari, coming off a handicap of 20 metres, smashed the 2200-metre stand-start record formerly held by Truly Blissfull, taking a full second and a half off the old time.
Watch Izaha hold off the challenges in the $40,000 Roberts Equine Supplies Globe Derby Final in race 3 Launceston on Friday night:
