Australia: Let's Karaka Deel top contender in Victoria Derby Trial at Flemington
Let’s Karaka Deel, a New Zealand-bred 3-year-old who made his debut in July, has had two starts and is rated as a derby contender in Australia in coming months.
A specific race target could be decided after Let’s Karaka Deel starts in the Victoria Derby Trial at 1 1/8 miles at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Wednesday.
By its title, the Victoria Derby trial is a prep for the Group 1 Victoria Derby, a $1.46 million race at 1 9/16 miles at Flemington on Oct. 31. The Victoria Derby is one of the first major stakes of Melbourne Cup week. The Melbourne Cup will be held on Nov. 3.
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Let’s Karaka Deel, trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, is part of a field of 16 in the Victoria Derby Trial and is rated as a top contender along with Choir and Hit the Shot.
Let’s Karaka Deel was second by a nose in his debut in a seven-furlong maiden race at Bendigo on July 29 and won a maiden race at a mile at Swan Hill on Aug. 24.
Choir, trained by James Cummings for Godolphin Racing, has slightly more experience. Choir was beaten in his first three starts before winning a maiden race at about 1 1/4 miles at Moe Racecourse on Aug. 8. In his only start at Flemington, Choir was fourth of eight in a handicap for 2-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles behind the well-regarded stablemate Alcyone in July.
Hit the Shot won his debut in a maiden race on the synthetic track at Ballarat on Aug. 11, but was eighth of 14 in a handicap for 3-year-olds on turf at 7 1/2 furlongs at Moonee Valley on Sept. 5.
There are eight races at Flemington on Wednesday. First post time is 11 p.m., Eastern, or 8 p.m., Pacific, on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
The Kennedy Oaks Trial is part of the program, and could produce a few runners for the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks at 1 9/16 miles at Flemington on Nov. 5.
The Kennedy Oaks Trial drew a field of 14 but only two winners in Blazing Lace and Shilajit. Perfect World and Salto Angel, each second in a maiden race in her last start, led early betting on Monday in what appears to be a wide-open race.