Cambridge trainer Tony Pike has won a New Zealand Derby before, capturing the classic with Rangipo in 2016 after a string of Group Two victories. But he makes no secret of his high regard for the Rock ’N’ Pop gelding Surely Sacred, the $3 favourite for this year’s Derby at Ellerslie.

 

“This horse is still learning, whereas Rangipo was the ultimate professional,” Pike said.

 

“The Derby was his 10th run that season, so he was just a real warrior, while this horse has a touch of class on his side.”

 

Raced by major stable clients Raffles Racing, Surely Sacred made a winning debut at Te Rapa in late November. Since then he has been a strong-finishing second in the Bonecrusher Stakes, then a barnstorming last-to-first winner of the Auckland Guineas.

 

After an unlucky fifth in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic, Surely Sacred won the traditional Derby lead-up, the Avondale Guineas.

 

“It was a really good win in the Avondale Guineas,” Pike said. “Nothing was bringing him into the race, so he had no option but to take off quite early. He kept finding all the way down the straight and won well.

 

“He’s trained on well since then, and if he gets a trouble-free run this weekend he should be a strong chance.

 

“The step up to 2400 metres shouldn’t hold any fears for him. He showed good stamina to keep up that long, sustained run last start.”

 

 

 

 

 

There has been a bit of hype around Vernanme since before he made his debut, with trainer Stephen Marsh labelling him among his stable’s most exciting talents back in the early spring.

 

Fourth and third in his first two starts, Vernanme cleared maiden ranks in late October at Pukekohe. He was tripped up by a heavy track when fifth at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, but he has been outstanding since then with his big-race placings in the Levin Classic and Avondale Guineas.

 

The Avondale Guineas run came after a pre-race scare, pulling a plate on the float to the racetrack and requiring vet clearance before taking his place in the field.

 

“After all of that, he came out and ran a great race in the Guineas,” Marsh said. “He’s bounced out of it in super condition and we’re right on track for the Derby. We’ve got him right where we want him.”

 

He carries the gold and navy blue colours of his co-breeder and part-owner, Valachi Downs principal Kevin Hickman, who won the Derby in 2012 as the owner-breeder of star filly Silent Achiever.

 

 

 

 

More Wonder is the most battle-hardened runner in this year’s Derby field, having lined up in 10 races this season for two wins and two placings. But that record fails to tell the whole story.

 

The Mossman gelding has produced strong late finishes for fifth in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, fourth in the Auckland Guineas, fourth in the Levin Classic, fifth in the Thorndon Mile and fourth in last Saturday’s Haunui Farm WFA Classic. He has been hindered by slow starts, interrupted runs and his own racing manners.

 

“He’s a very good horse and we’re happy with him heading into the Derby on Saturday,” co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said.

 

“It was another big run at Otaki on Saturday. He wasn’t very comfortable in the track conditions and things didn’t really go right in the running, he lay in down the straight. He does a few things wrong, but he’s getting better.

 

“He’s a Group One horse. He probably should have won a Group One by now.”

 

 

 

 

 

When Platinum Invador heads down to Ellerslie’s 2400-metre starting point for the 2019 New Zealand Derby, he will have got there the hard way.

 

 

A plan to cement his place in the field with a strong Avondale Guineas performance went awry when he was badly checked in the straight and could finish only ninth.

 

Instead, trainer Lisa Latta had to back him up at Otaki last weekend. Platinum Invador was up to the task, scoring a dominant win over 2100 metres.

 

“He is very much a genuine stayer and will be suited by the 2400 metres of the Derby,” Latta said.

 

“It’s not ideal having to race three weeks in a row, but he has pulled up well and I think he will acquit himself well.”

 

 

 

 

Roger James is renowned for his outstanding record in the Derby, winning it five times with Tidal Light (1986), Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999) and Silent Achiever (2012). But his involvement on Derby day this year will be in one of the supporting features.

 

Elate is among the favourites for the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on March 16, and she will have her final lead-up race in Saturday’s McKee Family Sunline Vase.

 

The Savabeel filly was a last-start winner of the Listed Oaks Prelude at New Plymouth.

 

“It was a super win at New Plymouth last start,” said James’ training partner Robert Wellwood.

 

“She was caught wide early and Cameron Lammas had no choice but to go forward down the back straight. It wasn’t the easiest of runs, but she really stuck to her guns all the way to the finish line. It was a good, strong win.

 

“We’re pretty happy with how everything’s gone with her since then. We’d been tossing up between the Sunline Vase and the Lowland Stakes (run at Hastings yesterday).

 

“The main reason we went for the Sunline Vase was to try to cut down her travel time. The Oaks is her main target, so obviously there’s still a big trip to Wellington to come. Ellerslie is a lot closer to us here in Cambridge than Hawke’s Bay, so we thought it would be the better lead-up. She’s going into the race in good order.”