News

Darci might be a good Derby prospect

18th Apr 2011

Racenet - Brad Waters - Saturday, 16 April 2011

NSW south coast trainer Bede Murray believes he has another Derby prospect after the lightly-raced juvenile Darci Be Good took out the Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Murray formerly trained the 2001 AJC Australian Derby winner Universal Prince.

"I do he's got the makings of a very nice three-year-old,” Murray said.

"I think he could be a Derby colt, I really do.”

The first half of the Fernhill was run at a muddling pace but a masterful piece of horsemanship from Darci Be Good's jockey Luke Nolen saw the colt take up the one out, one back position after jumping from barrier 10.

Once Nolen secured the gun run, Darci Be Good travelled comfortably before mounting his claim at the top of the straight, kicking clear topping the rise and fending off a spirited challenge from Cocky Raider.

"Even today he didn't really know what it's all about,” Nolen said.

"The pace was pedestrian and we just kept into it and I travelled for as long as I could and had to give him a stir before we topped the hill [rise] to keep his mind on it and I think he'll be better on top of the ground.”

Darci Be Good defeated the David Payne-trained Cocky Raider with Continental Flyer, the stablemate to the winner, finished in third.

Murray said he would now spell Darci Be Good to prepare the colt for the spring.

"He probably only just got through it but he didn't really know not to handle the track,”said winning jockey, Luke Nolen.