News

Laing looking to Derby

5th Oct 2013

Racing Victoria - James Tzaferis - Saturday, 5 October 2013

Robbie Laing eyeing Victoria Derby after Polanski's impressive Flemington win

Trainer Robbie Laing believes Polanski is the horse that can end a recent string of misses in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) after his tough win in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The Cranbourne trainer has saddled up a horse in Victoria’s premier three-year-old staying test in three of the last four years, with Scelto’s eighth placing in 2011 representing his best result.

“I’ve been running them in the Derby the last five years but they haven’t been much good really,” Laing admitted.

“Subiaso ran ninth last year, the year before that Scelto ran midfield and Commonage close got run down in 2009.”

Liang admitted the son of Rakti had been unlucky in his two previous runs this campaign, the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) and the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m), but said he had the galloper tuned up for today’s assignment and showed his toughness over the furlong to defeat a field of Derby aspirants.

The trainer nominated the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on 19 October as the colt’s final lead-up to the $1 million Derby at Flemington on 2 November.

“He ran a great race in the Danehill but never saw daylight and got knocked down every inch of the way at the Valley the other day,” Laing said.

“I just hope when he gets to the Derby that he is the same shape and the same weight because he was very forward for today’s race, very fit and that was displayed by him letting go at the 600m and holding on.

“It wouldn’t have mattered if he had led today but there was a bit of pace up front which was good but he can bowl along in front and go all day.”

“He’ll probably go to the Norman Robinson (Stakes, Caulfield) in a fortnight and then another two weeks into the Derby.”

After beginning well from barrier 12, jockey Dean Yendall was able to slot into the box seat one of the fence with cover, trailing a moderate tempo set by Gai Waterhouse-trained fancy Rockford.

Yendall got to work before the turn with Polanski ($13) claiming the lead as the field entered the straight, fighting on gamely to hold off closers Epic Saga ($10) and Famechon ($12).

“He settled terrific through the run and I produced him well into the straight and he was tough to the line,” Yendall said.

“I reckon he’s untapped and the more you ask him for the more effort he gives you.”