Victory earns Derby pre-draw favouritism

VICTORY in the Kapunda Derby during the weekend has earned Ever Hoping pre-draw favouritism for the South Australia Derby.

Kapunda, along with various country Derbys, served as heats heading into the main feature, which is scheduled to be conducted at Globe Derby on Saturday night.

Although the event has lost it the prestige it once held, astute horsewoman Alyce Finnis stated the SA Derby is still the ‘main aim’ for trainers and owners.

Along with a drop in status due to low stakes during the past decade, the SA Derby was removed from being a national event this season after Harness Racing SA restricted the race to locally trained three-year-olds in a bid to keep the prizemoney within the state.

“To us it doesn’t matter whether there are interstate horses, or if the Derby isn’t held as high as it once was, it is still a race we want to win,” Finnis said.

“Our main targets are always the SA features with our young horses, which is what we aim at when we go to the sales and so on.

“I’m looking forward to the Derby and hopefully we can have a bit of luck and come home with some of the prizemoney.”

With Wayne Hill in the cart, Ever Hoping was caught wide early from barrier five before being sent forward to sit outside the leader, Monsieur Steel.

Powering his way to the front along the back straight, the son of Always B Miki completed a three-metre win from Honeybun, with Big Black Betty a half-head away third.

Rating 1:56.4 over 1800 metres, Ever Hoping took his record to five wins and five placings from 12 starts for earnings of $46,684.

“That was another good run from him and he has come through it in great shape,” Finnis said.

“Art Jester had that little faulter on the turn, but recovered well to only be beaten five-and-a-half metres.

“He took no harm from it and will also be ready for the Derby on Saturday night.”