Racing: NZ Derby winner has no fears of classic distance

The great unknown for all but one of the AJC Australian Derby contenders today is their ability to run a strong 2400m.

The great certainty for trainer Bede Murray with his charge Coniston Bluebird is his ability to run a strong 2400 metres.

Coniston Bluebird proved his staying mettle with victory in last month's New Zealand Derby but punters have rallied to others in the classic at Randwick today.

That's fine with the veteran NSW south coast trainer who won the 2001 Derby with Universal Prince who, like Coniston Bluebird, is a son of Scenic.

"He hasn't gone backwards since New Zealand and I couldn't be happier," Murray said.

"I know he can run the distance and he worked exceptionally well at Kembla Grange this week.

"I know he can run the distance and I know he can run it on a wet track if he has to.

"There's a few others in the race who don't tick as many boxes."

Murray said Predatory Pricer was among those with a few question marks even though a win by him would still be cause for a family celebration.

Murray's son Paul prepares Predatory Pricer, who is a half-brother to international sprint star Takeover Target.

"I think Predatory Pricer is potentially the best horse in this race but I really think my horse stays better," Murray said.

"And I think there is also a question over Sousa at the distance."

Spring Champion Stakes winner Sousa was promoted to outright favouritism when he drew barrier one and former equal favourite Metal Bender came up with gate 14.

New Zealand raider Harris Tweed came into contention with victory in the Tulloch Stakes over Derby rivals Dr Doute's and fellow Kiwi Old Jock.

Neither Harris Tweed nor Old Jock contested the New Zealand Derby on March 1 but Murray said he was pretty sure he had the form from across the Tasman covered.

"They [New Zealanders]didn't worry me over there, they are not going to worry me over here," he said.

Coniston Bluebird was at $12 on Thursday with Sousa at $4.40 and Metal Bender easing to $5 in his bid to win the triple crown.

The Jack Denham-trained Metal Bender was equal with Sousa at $4 until the barrier draw.

Sousa finished seventh in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) won by Metal Bender then improved to get within a half-head of him when stepped up to the 2000 metres of the Rosehill Guineas.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Rock Kingdom, placed in the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas, has been the best-backed Derby runner, firming from $12 on Tuesday to $6.50.

* * *

The prospect of a good track at Randwick today has trainer Ron Maund believing Ice Chariot can break his long winning drought in the group two Chairman's Handicap.

So far the Queenslander's Sydney Cup campaign has been a disaster with the 2600- metre race his third in NSW this time in.

Randwick track manager Dave Hodgson said last night that he expected the surface to improve from a dead four as long as predicted rain held off until late in the day.

Ice Chariot beat only one runner home in last Saturday's Neville Sellwood Stakes run on a heavy track at Rosehill.

Before that run, stewards ordered Maund to trial Ice Chariot after he was beaten more than 30 lengths when eighth to Theseo in the Ranvet Stakes on March 21.

Ice Chariot has not won since the Listed D'Urban Quality (1700m) at Caulfield in September 2007.

"We've had to slog around in the wet just to get some miles in his legs and I'm just hoping he hasn't forgotten how to win," Maund said.

"I saw him a couple of times when I was in Sydney for the sales this week and on face value he looks great.

"We think all he needs is firmer ground to win again and it looks like he's going to get that."

Ice Chariot landed the biggest win of his career on a dead track in the group one Queensland Derby (2400m).

"He's bred to hate it and I nearly gave it up the day he won the Derby," Maund said.

"He can handle a little bit of sting out of the ground but anything worse and that's the end of him. It was pretty wet for the Derby, so I still can't work that one out."

Maund was pleased and surprised that jockey Glyn Schofield had stuck with Ice Chariot today.

"I thought we might have lost him but he can see it's the tracks that have proved his undoing and it's great to see him staying with us and a good sign for the Sydney Cup," Maund said.

Ice Chariot was last night rated a A$26 chance for the Chairman's by TAB Sportsbet.

* * *

For the first time in three years of taking Belong To Many to the races, Canberra trainer Barbara Joseph will be going home without her.

The consistent stakes performer is among the horses to be sold on Tuesday, the first day of the Sydney Easter broodmare sale.

But first she will defend her title in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes (1200m) today.

"Saturday will be a very emotional day but I think I will be even more emotional on Tuesday," Joseph said yesterday.

"I just hope I get her back to train."

- AAP