| New Zealand bred
and trained gelding Distinctly Secret, the warm favourite for tomorrow's $503,000 Group
One The Queensland Derby, is "spot to" according to connections. Trainer Mark Walker has said the son of Distinctly North will be in peak
condition when he starts in the 2400 metre classic.
Fixed odds services around the country currently have the
three-year-old a clear cut favourite at $2.50 for the Derby ahead of the Michael Moroney
trained filly Galroof.
Walker is confident the gelding will be the one to beat in
the Derby after a near perfect barrier draw during the week.
Brian York will be back aboard the exciting spring carnival
prospect tomorrow after serving a recent suspension.
"Damien (Oliver) got the chance to ride him last start
but I had a prior arrangement with Brian to ride him throughout this preparation,"
Walker said this morning.
"But with the spring carnival in mind later in the year
it could have be an advantage to have Damien ride him the other day," he added.
Distinctly Secret has been the subject of some lucrative
international offers. It's understood $1 million was offered after his last start win in
Brisbane.
Walker, who's experienced a great carnival to date in
Queensland with his three horse team, has declared his charge "spot on" for the
Derby.
Distinctly Secret has won his past two starts in Brisbane in
the Grand Prix Stakes (G2) and the Rough Habit Plate (LR) after failing at his first run
in Australia in the Queensland Guineas. He had left New Zealand after winning a
three-year-old race at Hastings. |
