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Budding stayer Berlioz looks to have a Derby within his scope but it may be in Queensland, not South Australia.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The talented Zabeel colt, prepared by David Hayes, is third favourite for Saturday's Group 1 SA Derby but the stable warn he may not run this weekend.
Berlioz is still in his first campaign and yet to run a bad race, including a narrow loss in the group 1 West Australian Derby in mid April.
He then returned to Melbourne and broke through for his biggest career success with a dogged win in the VRC St Leger, holding off the luckless Precedence.
Over the last 20 years four St Leger winners have gone on to win the SA Derby - Lazer Sharp (2007), Big Pat (2001), Count Chivas (1995) and Shiva's Revenge (1991).
But all four of those winners had more time between runs, the St Leger now closer to the Derby giving the winner only seven days to back up.
That is the reason the stable are cautious about running Berlioz this weekend and may in fact target Brisbane instead.
“He returned in good order but at this stage it's unlikely he'll back up,” Cornell said. “The seven day back-up off a pretty tough run is a big ask,” assistant trainer John Cornell said.
“He's also had a trip to Western Australian as well.
“We've got the week to monitor him but I'd say it's unlikely. He might be freshened and go to Brisbane instead.”
The stable has two other entries in the SA Derby, with the final field drawn up tomorrow morning.
Of those, Stokehouse has gone to the paddock after his autumn form tapered off but the Hayes team have a leading chance in Reprisal.
The Galileo gelding was second-up from a let-up when a fast finishing second behind Rebel Raider in the Listed Chairman's Stakes (2000m) last start.
“His run was really good and there's plenty of improvement in him,” Cornell said.
“The distance won't worry him and he's doing well.”
Prior to his let-up the gelding was runner-up in the Tasmanian Derby after winning the Hobart Guineas.
After his St Leger win Berlioz moved to third favourite for the Derby at $6.00, sharing that line with Fitoussi.
Rebel Raider is the firm favourite at $3.20 ahead of Hamilton Cup winner Larry's Never Late at $4.00.
Reprisal looks over the odds at $13.00, given a number of horses ahead of him, including Berlioz, Markus Maximus, Buffet and Zapurple, are doubtful runners.
