Mark Delbridge is targeting this Saturday’s Golden Easter Egg heats after his charge Quasi Bale’s stunning success in the Remedial Waterproofing Services Richmond Derby (535m).
The Victorian chaser produced a terrific run to take out the Group 2 crown and $40,000 top prize, winning by almost five lengths in a superb time of 30.22.
Watch a replay of Quasi Bale's win here.
Lying fourth at the first corner, Delbridge’s unfancied contender unleashed an incredible run home time of 14.74 to seal the win on Friday night.
Delbridge will now prepare Quasi Bale for the heats of the $250,000 series – and is hoping he can now get his hands on a first-ever Group 1 crown.
“As long as he with them going through the first corner, he will have a chance,” Delbridge said.
“It’s a matter of box draws and whether he begins well (but) if everything goes right he should be in the first four (of his heat).
“I would like him drawn closer to the rail but in saying that, that he is capable of winning off the pink as well.
“As long as I don’t draw in the guts, I think he can match anything.”
Quasi Bale had not even trialled at Richmond or raced interstate before the series, but travelled north with a respectable record of 11 wins from 22 outings.
The son of Bekim Bale qualified for the decider with a solid 30.73 heat run.
Despite being drawn in box four and pricing at $19 pre-race, his trainer was confident of victory after the early stages of the race.
“At the first corner I thought, ‘he should win this’,” Delbridge said.
“He is more of a 600m dog, he is so strong and his times at Sandown Park have been flying.
“I don’t bet, but if I had known his price I would have backed him at those prices. He was way over the odds.”
Exciting newcomer No Donuts ($3.40F) was second, with ZIPPING Sonny third as an $11.60 shot.
Delbridge said his charge had pulled up well from the run and will now be primed for this Saturday’s Easter Egg heats.
No Donuts' trainer Johannes "Hank" Vanderburg has also indicated that the exciting young chaser will now be targeted at the Group 3 New Sensation heats on Friday night.
Delbridge said it had been a “beautiful” moment watching his chaser triumph.
“I was a little emotional at the end,” he said. “I was so rapt at winning a race like that.
“It just makes all the hard work you put in worthwhile.
“I’ve won Group 2's before – the last one was at the 2013 Launching Pad with Tomac Bale – but it’s still a beautiful feeling.
“I’ve never won a Group 1 race. It will be nice to have a go with him.”
