Modest plans for Derby winner

PLANS remain modest with Atout despite her success during the weekend.

One of five Luke O’Neill-trained runners in the South Australia Trotters’ Derby at Globe Derby on Saturday night, Atout caused a massive upset to capture the Blue Riband.

Driven by Michael Smith, the daughter of Quaker Jet enjoyed the run of the race behind the leader before finishing along the sprint lane to score by a head from Saint Sebastian, which was gallant after racing in the ‘death seat’.

A stablemate of the winner, Emma Joy, which led from the pole, was five metres away third.

Rating 2:05.2 over 2230 metres, Atout paid a whopping $81 on the Tote.

“I said before the race I thought it was a wide open affair and pretty much any of them could win,” O’Neill said.

“I wouldn’t have considered Atout to be among the main chances, but I didn’t think she was out of it either.

“About a lap from home, knowing the run she was having, I knew she would be hard to beat as she can sprint well.”

With the three-year-old ineligible for the upcoming Southern Cross Series, O’Neill is yet to decide on Atouts’s next target.

“I’ll wait to see how she is for over the next couple of days and then start looking for a race for her,” O’Neill said.

“He is eligible for the Vicbred, so I may even take her over for a go at that series or to even just to try and win her Vicbred bonus.”