APG winners make Derby statement

A PAIR of Australian Pacing Gold eligible youngsters made Blue Riband statements at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

Each winning a Group Three event, Catch A Wave and Interest Free are being readied for the Victoria Derby, which is scheduled to be conducted at Tabcorp Park Melton on October 8.

A dual APG Final winner, Catch A Wave stretched his record to 10 wins and a second from 12 starts thanks to his success against older rivals in the Alabar Vicbred Championship.

Trained by Andy Gath and drive by his wife, Kate, Catch A Wave rated 1:54.6 over 2240 metres as Hugo Rocks and Ozzie Playboy filled the placings.

Later on the card Interest Free proved too good in the Victoria Sires’ Classic.

Driven to perfection by Daryl Douglas, Interest Free completed a two-metre win from Khafaji, with Brutally Handsome three-and-a-half metres away third in 1:56.2 for the 2240-metre trip.

Triumphant in the APG Sovereign Final during his previous outing, the Julie Douglas-trained son of Art Major took his record to 12 wins and seven placings from 25 starts.

“That was a great run from him,” Julie said. “I as confident in his chances before the race, but was a little worried just after the start when he was caught three-wide for the first half a lap and had to be restrained to the back of the field.

“It worked out well in the end and he finished it off very well.

“We’re hopeful he can measure up to the Derby in five or six weeks and I’ll just a suitable race for him between now and then.”