Queensland duo targeting Victoria’s biggest features

Queensland power duo Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen are primed to target Victoria’s biggest features for geldings and mares.

The Sunshine state-pairing will prepare The Janitor (Always B Miki) in the $20,000 Woodlands Stud Victoria Derby and Aardie B Miki for the $20,000 Pryde’s Easifeed Victoria Oaks.

The Janitor is set to make his first appearance outside Albion Park in Saturday night’s 2760m event.

“Everything is good with him and he is a progressive type and he is improving every time,” regular driver Pete McMullen said.

The gelding out of Weka Lass finished eighth in the Queensland Derby on July 27, but has since won his last two starts.

“He raced in the Derby up here (Queensland) and just had a horrible trip and nothing went his way,” he said.

“We felt like it was a bit of a missed opportunity and hopefully we can have a bit more luck in the Victorian Derby.”

The three-year-old has drawn eight for the $20,000 event.

“It is probably the worst draw for him to be honest, the draw makes things tricky, he will probably end up last in the run,” McMullen said.

McMullen’s other great hope is in-form mare, Aardie B Miki (Always B Miki) who will head into the Oaks heat with a Group 1 to her name after claiming the Queensland Oaks.

“She won two of the three Oaks in Queensland and her Queensland Oaks win was stunning really, the last quarter was in 25 (seconds) and she ran past some really nice fillies,” he said.

“Really excited to get her down there and obviously there is some really tough competition, we think she is one of the best fillies in the country and she will be in it with a really good shot.”

The daughter of Tatijana Bromac has drawn six for the 2760m trip, which isn’t a worry for the 33-year-old reinsman.

“To be honest, barrier draws aren’t so important with her just depends where all the dangers draw with her.”

The Emma Stewart-prepared Kiss has drawn one for the $20,000 event.

The final for both the Derby and Oaks is set for October 12 and is one of six Group 1 contests on the Sportsbet Victoria Cup card.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria