body-container-line-1
31.10.2014 Sports News

Hampton Court favourite for Victoria Derby

31.10.2014 LISTEN
By Allsports.com.gh

The Waterhouse-trained Hampton Court is the pick of the bunch for the $1.5million Group One race (2500 metres) at Flemington Race Course in Melbourne after storming home to victory in the Spring Champion Stakes over a fortnight ago.

Hampton Court outshone highly-fancied duo First Seal and Sweynesse in the 2000m at Randwick in Sydney's final Group One race of the year.

Now Hampton Court, who has drawn barrier 11 with jockey Kerrin McEvoy aboard, is favourite to win the 17-horse race for three-year-olds on Saturday, which is expected to be greeted by rain.

"I just think my bloke's the dominant horse," said Waterhouse, who is out to win her second Victory Derby.

"It's interesting that he's the short-priced favourite already I think that tells you most things, doesn't it?

"He was outstanding, absolutely outstanding. I think he'll win easily, he's got everything you look for in a Derby colt. He's big, he's strong, he's got a superb temperament and he can stay.

"This is a very special horse, who has come into his own once he got to the 1900-2000 metre (range)."

Preferment (barrier six), Moonovermanhattan (barrier 12) and Bondeiger (barrier one) are all expected to be in the mix heading drown the straight at Flemington.

The Chris Waller-trained Preferment - yet to win in six races - rallied to finish second in his last start at the Geelong Cup (2200m) with champion jockey Damien Oliver on the saddle.

Grey colt Moonovermanhattan - to be ridden by Craig Newitt - won the Group Two Mooney Valley Vase (2020m) ahead of Atmosphere, who is also in the field.

Bondeiger could only manage seventh in the lead-up race.

Trainer Robbie Lang, who won last year's Victoria Derby with Polanski, has not given up hope of going back-to-back with Cuban Fighter (barrier nine) or The Mighty Jrod (barrier 17).

"I couldn't be happier with the horses, they both stay really well, they've had great preparations and they've worked well, so couldn't be happier with the horses," he said.

"They go in as maiden platers but when the business end comes about there'll be a few won't get the trip but I'm pretty sure they will."

body-container-line