Trainer eyes Derby with Metro Mouse

Astute Tasmanian harness racing trainer Michael Laugher is hoping his three-year-old colt Metro Mouse can live up to expectations and progress to races such as the Tasmanian Derby.

Laugher made the prediction after the colt's impressive win in a 3C0-C0 event over 2090 metres at UBET Park Hobart last night.

Metro Mouse ($2.10 fav) had no trouble in finding the lead from gate four and although headed momentarily turning for home the colt fought back and hit the line a comfortable winner over outsider I Am Camelot ($41) with Kon Tiki ($6.60) a close-up third.

Metro Mouse notched two wins in succession in 2YO races in Launceston at the end of last season and he returned to that venue two weeks ago for his first start as a three-year-old only to be over-run in the closing stages by the highly promising Animi Sub Ignis.

"This horse is potentially the best I've trained and while he hasn't put it all together on the racetrack yet I am hoping he gets there this season," Laugher said.

"He is a very paid back customer when he comes to the races and that's a good thing but he is yet to unleash and given us what we know he is capable of giving."

"We are hoping he can measure up to races such as the Tasmanian Derby but we'll have a better idea of where he sits after a few more runs," he said.

Driver Gareth Rattray said Metro Mouse was always travelling like the winner.

"We were headed probably by a half-length turning for home but my horse was still traveling easily and he just fought back and went on to win with a bit in reserve," Rattray said.

Peter Staples