"Since the Avondale Guineas the money for Volkstok'n'barrell has not stopped coming in.
"The barrier draw also made it a bit easier."
Volkstok'n'barrell drew barrier No 4 and Mongolian Khan No 11, but those particular barriers are unlikely to play a major part.
Prima (barrier No 11), Vavasour (No 15) and Mongolian Khan are likely to go forward in the first 300m, but the tactics of Sound Proposition may be different.
Taylor said the only significant money outside Volkstok'n'barrell was for Chenille.
"She was $30 in the futures, but she's in to $16 now."
Many trainers are happy to fade away when they retire from the 4am grind of preparing horses.
Not Jimmy Gibbs, the icon known only as "Gibsy" in the industry.
Cop this: At Ellerslie on Saturday Gibbs part owns Derby favourite Volkstok'n'barrell and also part of $100,000 Darley Plate fancy Durham Town.
On the same weekend, Gibbs part owns $1.60 favourite Hug The Wind in the New South Wales A$200,000 Derby and equal favourite NSW Oaks Fight For Glory.
Not bad for a bloke's that retired.
Most of us wouldn't survive the headache.
Naturally, the Derby will take pride of place on Saturday's racing programme but there is sure to be plenty of interest further south at Hastings.
The Lowland Stakes has attracted a handy field highlighted by 1000 Guineas winner Platinum Witness, but she faces some handy opponents, including a couple of up-and-coming Savabeel fillies, Pipi Beel and Savaria, both of whom have won on the track.
Ellerslie feature fields.
R3 2.05 Nathans Memorial, $40,000, 2200m. - Survived (10) 59, Benzini (9) 57.5, Blood Brotha (1) 56.5, Eva Keeneva (6), Re Deel (5) 54; Carlotta (8), Quest (2), Lion Red (3), Duquesa (7), Back In Black (4) 53.
R7 4.28 Darley Plate, $100,000, OPN-SW&P, 1200m. - Durham Town (2), Antonio Lombardo (8) 56; Whosyourmaster (9) 55.5, Shelford (3), Vincent Street (6), Magic Shaft (1) 55; Shezhardtocatch (4) 54, Trepidation (5), 9 Hannah Mary (7) 53.
R9 5.48 TV3 NZ Derby, $750,000, 3YO SW, 2400m. - Volkstok'n'barrell (4), Mongolian Khan (12), Gaultier (14), Twya (8), Midnitemagicman (7), Sealed By A Dance (3), Sound Proposition (16), Prima (11), Giant Turtle (10), McQueen (1), Margin Trader (5), Nymph Monte (17), Dee I Cee (6), Gifted Lad (2), J'Walke (13) 56.5; Vavasour (15), Chenille (9) 54.5.
Hastings feature on Saturday.
R7 4.15 Lowland Stakes, $70,000, 2100m. - Platinum Witness (13), Exquisite Jewel (10), Choice (2), Massofdash (6), Pipi Beel (8), Savaria (11), Dream Run (9), Suffire (7), Mary Quant (3), Aotearower (1), Tasha Aimee (5), Hayley Ann (4), Avatrix (12) 56.5.
Second thoughts
• Bookies have wound Volkstok'n'barrell into $2.60 favouritism for the NZ Derby on Saturday.
• The 2400m feature has attracted a field of 17 with Opaki gelding Nymph Monte copping the visitors' draw.
• Jim Gibbs is going to have a busy weekend with interest in four runners in both codes on either side of the Tasman.
