Kersley’s WA Derby Surprise Posted on April 14, 2016 | Posted by Julio Santarelli Fred Kersley does not mind admitting he might have got it wrong when assessing Culverin as a likely WA Derby contender. “She is a complete surprise packet to me,” Kersley said on TABradio. “I never expected her to be performing at this level over these distances. “She is capable and with luck in running can play a part.” Culverin posted two midweek wins at Ascot over 1400m and 1600m respectively, but it was her third placing in the WA Oaks (2400m) that legitimised her Derby prospects. The Musket filly finished two lengths adrift of First Impressions, but stuck on well after jockey Shaun McGruddy made a sweeping move to find the front before the turn. “Her performance in the Oaks was outstanding and in fact all her runs this preparation have been really good,” Kersley said. “In the Oaks she had to do a bit of work in the run but she was still able to fight out the finish so credit to her.” Culverin might be the surprise packet but stable mate Cappo D’Oro has been Kersley’s Derby hope since he made his debut last November. The Medaglia D’Oro gelding has enjoyed a thorough staying preparation and won’t be lacking in fitness after five runs over 2000m. He ran a sound Derby trial to impress Kersley when third to Who Dat Singa, beaten 2 ¾ lengths, in the Melvista Stakes (2200m). “I was pretty pleased how he measured up,” Kersley said. “He is bred to stay and we expect him to perform well at these distances. “The plan was always to head to the Derby with him. “He is a horse that will perform over distances.” Shaun McGruddy will partner Culverin from barrier nine. Cappo D’Oro, in the hands of Steven Parnham, has drawn barrier six. Kersley said very little separates his pair who are currently quoted $15 with the TAB. Kia Ora Koutou heads the market at $2.40. Kersley is chasing his second WA Derby success, 13 years after preparing Shirazamatazz in 2003.
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview May 16, 2024 RACE 1 Group 1 racing at Doomben kicks off with a Class 6 over the mile & it’s a tough way to kick off the… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Scone Preview May 16, 2024 RACE 1 Off to Scone we go for this week’s feature meeting, this one is a two-day carnival with the Cup run yesterday. The day… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview May 16, 2024 RACE 1 ARNIE’S BOY has found a lovely race. Two starts back he won an identical race – Westspeed 1600 – and since then he… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Carnarvon Preview May 16, 2024 RACE 1 SET THE SCENE had six runs at Carnarvon last season for 2 wins and 2 minors. He has won a 58+ 1400 at… Read More
Scott Embry’s Friday Albany Preview May 16, 2024 RACE 1 FOUR SEAS and MATSOKA are both 2 year olds who take on the older horses here in a 5 horse field. FOUR SEAS… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 10 May 16, 2024 THURSDAY Gold Coast v Geelong, TIO Stadium, 5.30pm Bookmakers have a leaning towards Geelong in the opening match of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. It makes… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview May 16, 2024 Race 1 CAPTAIN BLIGH (11) won his first three starts back from a spell and didn’t lose any admirers when he faced the breeze and… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Thursday Greyhound Best Bets May 16, 2024 MANDURAH Race 3 No. 2 In Her Mood Has not been going too bad for the new kennel and it doesn’t get any easier than… Read More
The Scout: EPL Week 38 May 16, 2024 Arsenal v Everton What a season it has been for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. And what a shame it would be if it didn’t result… Read More
Great Greys May 16, 2024 Thursdays from 10am on TABradio Harry Buchanan Mandurah Thursday : 6-2 Jet Worth / 7-7 Gypsy Rumba / 8-2 All About Coal Sandown Thursday :… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Wednesday Greyhound Best Bets May 15, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 3 No. 4 Gnarly Nala and No. 7 Knight Fright A couple to spec where a few first starters will be short. Maidens… Read More
Scott Embry’s Thursday Northam Preview May 14, 2024 RACE 1 OCEAN OUTLAW dropped back into a maiden for the first time in his career last start when a relatively disappointing fifth behind Oscar… Read More