Trainer Melinda Finn rates Winsome Mission her best chance but husband John reckons kennelmate Winsome Prince’s draw could tip the scales in his favour in Friday night’s star-studded Remedial Waterproofing Services Richmond Derby Final (535m).
“Box eight is perfect for Winsome Prince," John, who won the 1985 Richmond Derby with RAPID SUPREME, said. "He just loves it out there.’’
But Melinda, who trains the pair, leans to Winsome Mission despite his box five draw.
“There is not much pace around Winsome Mission and I think he will win,’’ Melinda said.
“Although there is nothing between them, if we trialled Winsome Mission and Winsome Prince together I think Mission would win because he is a better railer.’’
While Winsome Prince is ideally positioned, Bessy Boo and No Donuts are also well boxed in one and two respectively.
Bessy Boo won the 2014 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic and Christine Proctor’s versatile campaigner, who can sprint and stay with equal aplomb, is always in with a chance.
“He is probably not as fast as a couple of his Derby rivals but if Bessy Boo can get a slide along the rails he can win,’’ Proctor said.
Hank Vanderburg, trainer of No Donuts, concedes his dog, by far the “baby’’ of the field at 21 months of age, is giving away plenty in age and experience.
“But I didn’t hesitate to nominate him because Richmond is his local track and he had won there in 30.40 as well as trialling near record time of 30.20 at the course,’’ Vanderburg said.
“His heat win in 30.58 after being trapped wide from box six was a tenacious effort and I’m rapt in his box two draw.’’
Although Melinda Finn trained two Richmond Derby heat winners, including fastest qualifier Winsome Mission, she admits to having backed only one of her unsuccessful Derby starters, Winsome Jacko.
“I thought he was a good thing from box seven but as usual he found trouble,’’ Finn said.
But Winsome Jacko could atone in Friday night’s Frank Kennedy Memorial Trophy as he is ideally placed in box eight.
“He flies around Richmond in trials and clocked 26 seconds flat in a 472m trial at Bulli before his Derby heat,’’ Finn said.
Safest bet at Richmond should be Zipping Eastwood, making his eagerly awaited middle distance debut in the 618m Globe Memorial Company Stakes.
Zipping Eastwood came from last after virtually going around the outside fence to finish fourth over 520m at Wentworth Park last Saturday night and is a class above his rivals on times.
While he has won in 32.03 over 565m at Maitland and in 29.91 for the Wentworth Park 520m trip he has lost some of his early dash and at 25 months of age is ripe for a 618m event.
He would be a risk from an inside box on the Richmond 618m bend start but from his near ideal box seven slot it is impossible to go past him.
Best value at Richmond is Elite Arena, who ran the race of her life to finish second in a smart 29.96 over 520m at Wentworth Park on Monday night.
Elite Arena was giving the winner, Iona Champion, over a dozen lengths start with 250m to go, so should relish Friday night’s 618m journey.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Richmond Friday picks:
Best Bet: Zipping Eastwood (Race 5)
Best Value: Elite Arena (Race 4)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 7, 3
Race 6 – 8, 2, 5
Race 7 – 3, 8, 4
Race 8 – 8, 4, 7
$20 for 37.03%
