Derby picture shifts as Tracy The Jet heads to Oaks

Bad news for New Zealand’s best trotting fillies comes as a bonus for the boys heading to Friday’s $200,000 NZ Trotting Derby at Addington.

Because trainer Jess Tubbs has decided to target the Oaks with last Friday’s $500,000 Ascent winner Tracy The Jet (Love You).

The outstanding harness racing filly made a mess of her rivals of both sexes when leading throughout in Friday’s slot race and is the TAB Futures favourite for both the Trotting Oaks and Derby back at Addington this Friday.

But Tubbs says Tracy The Jet will revert to her own sex in the Oaks as a red hot favourite.

“I thought about both races but the only real reason we would have gone to the Derby was because it is worth more money,” says Tubbs.

“And I don’t want to let money be the reason I make decisions on where she races.”

The Oaks is also 1980m mobile while the Derby would have meant stepping up to 2600m mobile.

That probably wouldn’t have been enough to stop the big powerful filly but the race will also be the last of a hugely successful campaign.

“She will be ready for the paddock after the Oaks but, in saying that, she has come through last Friday great.”

Tracy The Jet heading to the Oaks will see Meant To Be as a short priced favourite for the Trotting Derby, with his co-trainer Barry Purdon confirming both he and Higher Power will head to the trotting classic.

“Meant To Be just had no luck on Friday but he will be ready to go and the step up to 2600m should really suit him,” says Purdon.

The Purdon/Phelan stable star Merlin will return to Auckland after two strong performances in the NZ Cup and Free-For-All last week and be set for the Auckland Cup on New Year’s Eve, along with stablemate Sooner The Bettor.

But stablemate Better Knuckle Up, who was a huge fourth in the New Zealand Cup coming from last, will head to the Christian Cullen at Addington on Friday, taking on Cup winner Kingman.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand