WA Derby heats take centre stage
Tonight’s Brittons Formal Wear WA Derby heats have drawn together some hot young sprinters including the recent Mandurah Derby trifecta of Domino Mac, Earn the Answers and Got The Swagger.
The Kylie McLennan trained Domino Mac is a most intriguing runner and the son of Rippin’ Sam has come up with box one in race number 7.
Domino Mac was superb throughout the Mandurah Derby series and he cut loose out wide on the spacious coastal circuit when taking out the Listed feature event final over 490 metres in 27.18 seconds.
The week prior he ran a slashing 27.02 seconds, equalling Zack Monelli’s track record, set a year prior in the 2020 Mandurah Derby series.
The potential hurdle for Domino Mac is the Cannington circuit. The handsome white and blue sprinter has only had one start in town and on that occasion he fell when finishing last in a Perth Cup heat.
He does like to use a bit of the track as well and is yet to be placed after two tries from box one.
Exactly how Domino adapts to box one and the Cannington track configuration is one of the great queries of the night – his best work sees him as one of the key chances but will we see it tonight?
There to pounce if Domino Mac doesn’t fire are chasers the calibre of Rippin’ Willy who is yet to miss a place over 520 metres at Cannington after 5 attempts, smart Victorian Envy To Burn and speedy customers Draft Monelli and Valachi.
Arguably the most anticipated heat of the night will be race 8 where up and coming stars Manzu and Stout Monelli cross swords.
Manzu has been superb in his brief career to this point starting 6 times for 4 wins and 2 placings.
The son of Vanderworp and Legit Boss has put some serious time on the clock with victories in 29.66 and 29.57 seconds.
The Margaret Hepple trained speedster ran his recent personal best time of 29.57 seconds from the same draw he has in his heat, box two.
Out in box six is the winning machine Stout Monelli.
Stout Monelli has put together a tremendous career record starting 22 times for 12 wins and 7 placings with a personal best time of 29.55 seconds.
The David Hobby trained chaser ran down the talented Pixie Monelli in a City Grade 5 event in a slick 29.69 seconds last week and he has had 3 tries from box 6 for a win and a placing.
In the first of the heats, race 6, the runner-up from the Mandurah Derby final Earn The Answers will start a warm favourite.
The Victorian speedster trialled between races last Saturday night at Cannington and impressed running an early split of 5.44 before stopping the clock in 29.68 seconds.
He has had 4 starts from the extreme outside draw for 2 wins.
Sudoku Shelby will sit on top of the speed and give cheek while Tiger Town is likely to be finishing the race off in style.
In the fourth of the Derby heats, race 9, Perth Cup placegetter Rippin’ Purton meets a very even lineup with most runners in with solid claims with the right run.
The Paul Stuart trained Serong has a nice turn of early burn and could well find himself up on top of the speed while the 29.54 second Maiden win of Mambo Monelli was eye catching.
Cooper’s Monelli from box one, Fearless Eagles in box three and last start winner Jimmy’s Decision are all capable types in what is a wide open event.
I thought punters could get the night off to a winning start with Pixie Monelli who has been racing ultra consistently and draws the cherry.
David Shortte