Major In Art colt wins South Australian Derby

A plan devised eight months earlier came to fruition when Brallos Pass scored an all-the-way win in the harness racing $30,000 Group 3 SA BOTRA South Australian Derby (2230m) at Globe Derby Park in South Australia.

A well backed $2 favourite, Brallos Pass was never really troubled in scoring a 4-1/2 metre win from Dont Hold Back ($4.10) with Motu Gatecrasher ($4) a further 1-1/2 metres away third.

Such was the quality of the placegetters, and the rating of the race by driver Nathan Jack, that the first three in running filled the placings.

Brallos Pass is trained at Kyabram in Victoria by Mark Watson who explained he was a little lucky to end up with the three-year-old.

“Mal and Neil Lennie (who own Brallos Pass) have had horses with dad (Ian) for many years and went to the sales a few years ago and purchased three yearlings,” Mark said.

“Dad said he didn’t have room for all of them so Mal asked me if I could take him and I’m glad I did.

“I picked out the SA Derby as a potential target about eight months ago.

“He raced really well as a two-year-old and I always felt the Derby was a perfect test for him, now I have to see if he can step up to another level in the Victoria Derby – that is going to be a big ask.”

Watson said he thought Brallos Pass a ‘good thing’ first up when he took the colt to Charlton last year but found himself sitting parked outside Goodtime Sammy and had to be contest with second.

“I was also delighted with his fourth in the APG final at Menangle – I think from a better draw he could have been placed.”

Mal Lennie, from Mildura, is enjoying the ride.

“I’ve had horses for about 40 years and pretty much could count my wins on one hand,” Lennie said.

“I went to the Inglis sale in Melbourne and got this bloke for $7000 – no-one seemed to want him.

“My brother Neil will be a bit upset. He lives in Brisbane and had to stay home for a 60th.”

Watson said the Victoria Derby was the next logical target for Brallos Pass.

Jack had no trouble crossing from gate three to head off Motu Gatecrasher (gate one) while the previously unbeaten Don’t Hold Back showed good speed from the extreme outside gate of seven but had to be content to sit outside the lead.

Brallos Jack had comfortable lead quarters of 30.8 and 30.6 before sprinting up for 28.8 and 28 final quarters to confirm himself the Derby winner.

Don’t Hold Back couldn’t match the winner’s acceleration and looked likely to miss a place 300 metres from home but credit to him he kept battling on and although well-beaten still managed to finish second. He was far from disgraced.

by Graham Fischer