Talented youngster’s perfect Derby preparation

TALENTED youngster Tasty Delight has rounded out his Derby preparation in the perfect manner.

Having his second start from a three-month spell, Tasty Delight completed a soft win at Club Menangle last night.

Pleased with the three-year-old’s progress, trainer Brian Portelli has set the New South Wales Derby as Tasty Delight’s next target.

The Blue Riband begins with heats around the 1400-metre circuit in a fortnight, with the Group One Final to be conducted as part of the extraordinary Miracle Mile card on March 6.

“That run will top him off nicely,” Portelli said. “He’s had a couple of trials and a couple of runs and is right where I want him.

“He won’t start again before the Derby heats in a couple of week and I’ll keep him ticking along at home.

“Hopefully he can get a couple of descent draws in the heat and Final to give him a good go at it.”

Runner-up after a hard run during his racing return, Tasty Delight enjoyed an easier time of it during his latest outing.

Beginning quickly to lead from barrier five, the son of Bettors Delight was never fully extended to complete a six-and-a-half metre win from Justa Little Bit, with Wow Hes A Rock Star a head away third.

With Portelli in the cart, the son of Bettors Delight rated 1:56.2 over 2300 metres to take his record to six wins and four placings from 10 starts for a bankroll of $128,720.

“He did it quite comfortably out in front,” Portelli said. “It was just the kind of run I wanted for him given where he is at in his preparation.”