Kovalica to kick clear in Queensland Derby
Quality four-year-old KOVALICA is all set to claim the $1,000,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby over 2400m from Eagle Farm Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained KOVALICA has been a standout four-year-old after posting five wins from eight starts with a further two third placings to his name. After winning the G2 Queensland Guineas over 1600m two starts ago, KOVALICA contested the G1 Doomben Cup over 2000m, measuring up at weight for age level, beaten just 1.2 lengths into third.
Back to his own age group is a winning factor for KOVALICA this week, and he is by far the form choice which is why he is so fancied in the betting, as well as getting champion jockey James McDonald taking over the reins.
Catalpa to bounce back under Pike
Consistent four-year-old CATALPA can atone for a luckless last-start defeat and bounce back in the $80,000 Ratings 66+ Handicap over 1400m from Belmont Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
Four-time winner from 17, CATALPA is third-up into his current preparation, and won nicely first-up by close to two lengths before going on to race with excuses second-up. From a wide barrier under an inexperienced ride, CATALPA was forced to race wide and without cover throughout, checking fifth and beaten 2.7 lengths.
With champion hoop William Pike jumping in the plate, CATALPA is poised to rebound, with the rise to 1400m ideal given he is a two-time winner from five at the trip.
Chernak ideally weighted
Five-year-old gelding CHERNAK can land his first win in Australia this Saturday when he contests the $28,000 Class 1 race over 2210m at Ipswich racecourse.
A one-time winner with two placing from five starts in France, CHERNAK has been improving with each run since arriving in Australia. The son of Dariyan is off the back of a solid effort at Eagle Farm three weeks ago when he settled off the speed from a wide draw before letting down well in the straight to check 2.8 lengths into fifth over 1800m.
CHERNAK is suited by the rise in distance this week and with the aid of the 3kg claim from apprentice jockey Casey Waddell, he is ideally weighted to break through.
