Promising stablemates on target for interstate Derby

PROMISING stablemates Dangerous and Catalpa Rescue will continue their trek towards an interstate campaign this weekend.

With connections setting their sights on the New South Wales Derby, the three-year-olds will “step up in grade” to tackle Saturday night’s Caduceus Classic at Tabcorp Park Melton.

The Derby is scheduled to be conducted at Club Menangle on March 4, with heats of the Blue Riband programmed for the previous week.

Dangerous is no stranger to competing on Australia’s premier track, having finished second at Group One level last season.

“All being well after Saturday night they will go to New South Wales for the Derby,” trainer Shane Sanderson said.

“There is a race for them in Menangle before the heats which I will likely put them in to give them another run between now and then.”

Unbeaten from two starts this season, Dangerous has drawn to search for the lead from the pole.

Also successful in a pair of outings this season, Catalpa Rescue faces a difficult task from barrier seven – the outside of the front row.

Sanderson’s son Ryan will partner Dangerous, with the horseman’s daughter, Abby, to take the reins behind Catalpa Rescue.

“From barrier one Dangerous has a good chance,” Sanderson said. “Catalpa Rescue goes quite well, but is up against it from there.

“Dangerous will use the draw to advantage for sure…pushing through and holding up will be our intentions.

“Catalpa Rescue will have to try and slot in somewhere good from there and come with one run.

“He’s got it tough, but I don’t think he will disgrace himself.”