On target to match dam as Blue Riband winner

UNDERRATED youngster Steam Machine is on target to match his highly successful dam as a South Australian Blue Riband winner.

By Captain Crunch, the gelding is from former top filly Steam Washed, which captured the Group One South Australia Oaks at Globe Derby in 2012.

Thanks to his heat win during last Saturday night’s program at the same venue, Steam Machine is poised to contest next weekend’s SA Derby for trainer David Drury.

Proving too slick for his more fancied rivals as a $34 outsider, Steam Machine powered his way to a five-metre win from $101 shot Seaside Show, with Don Crunch a metre away third as an $11 chance.

“After his run in Horsham, when only second-up from a spell, I was confident with him going into the heat,” Drury said. “He needed that run and had come on a fair bit after that.

“I saw the market early and I felt he was overs at $26, then he drifted further, which I didn’t think he should have.

“He got a good run in front and was able to make the most of it, which was great.

“We didn’t get home until 4am and he laid down all day, but he is pretty perky this morning and will brighten up as the week goes on.”

Rating 1:58.6 over 2230 metres, Steam Machine’s time was almost three seconds slower than Victorian raider Luvtobeuptome in the following heat.

Enjoying the perfect one-one trail from barrier six, Luvtobeuptome completed a six-and-a-half metre win from Major Blitz, with Lochinvar Leader seven-and-a-half metres away third.

“Courtney’s (Slater, trainer) looked very impressive and shapes as the one to beat,” Drury said. “But this is a Derby, so they will all be gee’d up and ready to go.”