Victoria Derby Heats set up an Open Final

Last night’s Heats of the Victoria Derby at Melton put together an even set of harness racing Heats with worthy representatives from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

In the opening heat Fox Dan (Art Major) could not have been more impressive when he ground down Our Ultimate Barney to a narrow but courageous win.

On the strength of his close second to stablemate Bay Of Biscay In the Eureka, Fox Dan was second favourite but the presence of talented speedster Hesitate made the race interesting.

The much improved Our Ultimate Barney was taken to the front by Kate Gath. With just under two laps left to travel Luke McCarthy on Hesitate charged around the field and Ryan Sanderson on Fox Dan tagged up and eventually went up to race outside the leader.

This gave Hesitate the perfect trail with Sanchez behind the leader.

FOX DAN OCT 11 REPLAY

This quartet slipped away from the opposition along the back straight. Our Ultimate Barney was giving plenty of cheek and Fox Dan seemed to wobble on the final bend. But he knuckled down to his task in fine style and he proved too strong for Our Ultimate Barney. Hesitate who had the gun run couldn’t make up much ground but he held on for third ahead of Sanchez.

It was certainly a top performance by the Emma Stewart trained colt who rated 1.55.9 for the testing 2760 metres trip.

Stewart had all the cards with the Second heat with promising colt Storms Collide (The Storm Inside) and gave driver Ryan Sanderson a winning double when he outsprinted his rivals. From the inside of the second row Sanderson followed up the New South Wales visitor Our Sweet Dream who held out the early lead. However the other Stewart runner Captain Perfect fresh from his Tasmania Derby success went up to race outside the leader.

STORMS COLLIDE OCT 11 REPLAY

Star Queensland three year old Fate Awaits eased back through the field to be one out but seemed to lose some ground in the back straight on the final occasion. But he eventually started to wind up although giving the leaders a tidy start.

Our Sweet Dream looked to be going well within himself but Captain Perfect continued to eyeball the leader and on the final bend took the lead. Meanwhile Storms Collide timed his run to perfection and in a driving finish he held out the fast finishing Fate Awaits with Captain Perfect winning plenty of admirers with his gallant third placing.

Earlier in the season Storms Collide won a Heat of the New South Wales Derby and there’s not much between him and Fox Dan. Driver Ryan Sanderson will have a tough choice as to which he would like to drive in the Final.

New South Wales visitor Sao Paolo Simba (American Ideal) prevented Emma Stewart from making a clean sweep of the Heats when he led all the way to record a strong win in a top class field. Trained by former Victorian Michael Stanley who is now based at Menangle, Sao Paolo Simba came to Melton with a 1.48.9 performance at Sydney headquarters.

SAO PAOLO SIMBA OCT 11 REPLAY

Sao Paolo Simba was expected to lead but was easily beaten for the lead by Queenslander Final Decision whose driver Adam Sanderson took hold and elected to take a trail behind Sao Paolo Simba. Favourite Cigano was able to manoeuvre for the one out and one back trail behind stablemate Silver Pistol.

Cigano made a run three wide on the final bend but he looked to be labouring. Sao Paolo Simba led on straightening and Final Decision went for an inside run. However Sao Paolo Simba fought back strongly and he held his rivals at bay to defeat Final Decision and It’s Confidential who edged Cigano for the minor placing.

Michael Stanley has made no secret of his high regard for Sao Paolo Simba who has improved out of sight in his recent runs.

The $150,000 Group 1 Derby Final will be staged on 18 October and all three Heat winners will figure prominently. But as is the case with major classics, the barrier draw is likely to be a major factor.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink