Three-year-old gelding Zeus Immortal continued his preparation towards the Globe Derby Stakes (3YO Colts and Gelding’s Tasbred Final) in November with a win in the Victory Images Photography Pace in Launceston on Friday night (2200m).
Zeus Immortal ($13), trained by Adrian Duggan, was second past the post, defeated 1/2 head by the Dylan Ford-driven Horatius Speculo ($1.85 fav), but after a protest from Jordan Chibnall, driver of third placegetter Ruebe Starbuck ($4.80), lodged a protest against Horatius Speculo for alleged interference near the 500m mark was upheld by stewards, Zeus Immortal was promoted to first, Ruebe Starbuck promoted to second, and Horatius Speculo demoted to third place.
“It panned out well, being in the one-on-one, and we didn’t have to get going too early, and we got to use his sprint late. He was in for the fight, and he went right to the line with Horatius Speculo,” said driver Jacob Duggan.
“The Globe Derby is where we are heading, and we can’t be happier with what he is showing at home and the races.
“He was a bit of a handful at the start during his first prep, and he was doing a bit wrong, but since coming back, he is putting it all together.
“Nathan Rockliff and his family have been great supporters of Dad’s for a while now, and it’s good to see them with a nice one.
The win was the second leg of a driving double for Jacob, who partnered the Greg Scott-trained Photo First ($2.70 fav) to victory earlier in the night.
“I thought he was a little bit unlucky last start.
“I didn’t have to burn as much early (on Friday), we got it his own way and he fought them off late,” said the driver about the Village Jolt gelding.
