Racing: Crunch time for colt

Twelve months of patience and training skills will be put to the test at Ellerslie today in the running of the $60,000 Mercedes Bonecrusher Stakes.

Takanini-based trainers Colin Jillings and Richard Yuill came to the same conclusion when the striking Zabeel colt Cheval De Troy arrived at their training property: the colt had "Derby Winner" written all over his huge physique.

The stock of champion stallion Zabeel excel in middle distance racing on racetracks throughout Australasia.

Jillings believes Cheval De Troy has the natural brilliance to win the New Zealand Derby.

He also knows that three-year-olds walk a fine line in mental maturity and physical strength to be able to cope with a 2400 metre race so early in the racing season.

The $500,000 New Zealand Derby will be held at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and it is an event that generally results in a large portion of three-year-olds struggling with the pressure of running out 2400 metres so early in their racing campaigns.

Cheval De Troy completes his Derby preparation with an outing in the Bonecrusher Stakes.

"Cheval De Troy is very well at the moment and he trained impressively but I would say a little too keenly for his own good at Takanini on Thursday morning," said Jillings.

"I can't complain about how well the horse is because he is eating and drinking very well and he is a ball of muscle.

"The Bonecrusher Stakes will top off his preparation nicely for the Derby and I think he'll go a very good race this week.

"We've drawn out a little wide again (barrier 17) but with the 2100 metre start Opie [Bosson, jockey] won't have to really rush him out of the starting gates to get a sit.

"This horse does have gate speed so Opie will have a couple of options he can consider when the field has jumped at the start.

"I would like to see him handy to the pace because I think his natural brilliance will make him a very hard horse to beat.

"I'm very confident this horse is going to be very tough in the (NZ) Derby.

"The crop of three-year-olds racing in New Zealand this season is a very strong and the Derby field will reflect that."

Cheval De Troy confirmed his ranking as one of the leading three-year-olds leading into the NZ Derby when posting an easy last-start victory in the $40,000 Balmerino Mercedes Derby Prelude at Ellerslie two weeks ago.

The bold striding colt jumped quickly from a wide barrier draw to secure an on the pace sit and hit the finishing line impressively to defeat Jonathan Josh and D Major.

The ability to jump and race on the pace gives Cheval De Troy a clear advantage over several of his rivals in today's event and the NZ Derby.