Racing: Derby entry thrives on the biggest occasions

Peter Ferguson. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

It is almost like Courage To Rule can read the racebook.

And maybe he can count too.

The Victoria Derby winner seems to know when the real money is up for grabs, as it is in tomorrow night's $500,000 Woodlands Northern Derby at Alexandra Park.

The Derby is the richest age group harness race in the Southern Hemisphere and that suits Courage To Rule's co-trainer John Green.

Not just because Green owns part-owns Courage To Rule but because he knows the bigger the occasion, the better the 3-year-old performs.

"He has had five starts in races worth $100,000 or more and never run out of the money," said Green of the gelding who has been beaten in maiden races.

"Last season he went his biggest races in the Sales Series, Sires' Stakes and Harness Jewels, while this season it has been the Sales Series and Victoria Derby when he has gone best."

The reasons for that big-race improvement is something far more tangible than a desire to make his owners happy: Courage To Rule thrives in the best races because that is when the racing is the hardest.

"He is tough and loves it when they go hard and that has happened in a lot of his big races.

"He might not have the speed to sprint with some of the sharper horses but he can outstay plenty of them."

That is why Green, who trains Courage To Rule in partnership with Brian Hughes, believes he is not a forlorn hope in tomorrow night's Derby, even from a horror draw.

Courage To Rule was outsprinted by Derby favourite Russley Rascal in his heat last week but Green says that was because his charge wasn't screwed down for the race.

"Peter [Ferguson, driver] went slower in front than he usually would of because our fella hasn't had a decent workout since winning the Victoria Derby last month.

"But at the line, Peter was adamant our horse was coming back at Russley Rascal and we are sure the 2700m this week will suit us better. And he has to be fitter so we are going in there with some confidence."