Derby Beckons Arctic Stream
16 February, 2018
Thoroughbred
Unbeaten gelding Arctic Stream commences a campaign aimed towards the WA Derby, when he resumes in the Owners Only-Supporting WA Racehorse Owners Handicap (1400m) at Ascot tomorrow.
The High Chaparral three-year-old won both of his starts at Bunbury last November, before he returned with a comfortable trial win over 1000m on Monday.
Price said he expected a forward showing from Arctic Stream for his first-up run, but hinted there was still more upside left in him for the rest of the campaign.
“He won his trial,” Price told TABradio’s The Sports Daily.
“We targeted him for a campaign to see if he will get the distance and go through to the Derby.
“He’s matured mentally and physically…he’s fairly forward.”
Joseph Azzopardi teams up with Arctic Stream, where he will jump from barrier eight, and is a $2.60 TABtouch favourite in an open betting market where seven of the 11 runners are single figure odds.
Another one of those gallopers in single figure odds is the Adam Durrant-trained Miracle Man, but the leading trainer said he doesn’t expect to see the best of the gelding tomorrow.
“I think he will be finishing off very well,” he said.
“The tricky barrier and the 1400 is a little bit of a task for him.”
Durrant also hinted two-year-old Assetro could be better suited over staying trips in future campaigns.
The Blackfriars filly was impressive winning on debut on New Year’s Day, and is a red hot favourite to make it two from two tomorrow.
“She’s one of my favourites to have come through the system,” Durrant said.
“She should be a better three-year-old.”
Durrant will also saddle up Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Trophy runner-up How To Fly tomorrow, where she will line up in the TABtouch Handicap (1000m) and is a $2.40 favourite.
Tim Walker