Keep your enemies closer!

LOOKING for the main threat to his bid for a second Derby won’t take much effort from Kyvalley Hotspur.

Successful in the New South Wales Trotters’ Derby at Club Menangle last May, Kyvalley Hotspur proved he is on target for a second Blue Riband by capturing a Victoria Trotters’ Derby heat in Maryborough today.

Less than a hour later, three-year-old’s main danger in next week’s Group One classic came in the form of his stablemate, Aldebaran Zeus, which was also triumphant in his qualifier.

The squaregaiters are trained by Brent Lilley.

“There isn’t a lot between them,” Lilley said. “In fact, I would probably give the edge to Zeus.

“Kyvalley Hotspur is certainly in the right form to win another Derby, while Zeus is also ready to win.

“The draw is going to be very important.”

Driven by Anthony Butt, Kyvalley Hotspur led throughout from barrier four to score by a metre from Utopia, with Locksley Lover a neck away third.

Taking his record to six wins and four placings from 14 starts, the son of Muscle Hill rated 2:03.1 over 2690 metres, with his time six-tenths of a second slower than Aldebaran Zeus.

Leading throughout with Chris Alford in the cart, Aldebaran Zeus completed a four-metre victory from Mufasa Metro, with Parisian Artiste two metres away third.

“It was another good run from Zeus,” Lilley said. “They both went well.

“Like I said, there isn’t much separating them and the draw will go a long way in determining the winner.”

Senitas Strength rounded out the heat winners by rating 2:00.9 as Central Otago and Sweet On You filled the placings.

Lilley finished the day with four winners after Birthday Suit and Kyvalley Clichy notched easy wins.