Colin Jillings was quick to double-check his race book after the $40,000 Balmerino Mercedes Derby Prelude.
He was well-satisfied with Cheval De Troy's victory in the three-year-old event but he was also double checking the performance of another age group rival.
The well-built Zabeel-sired colt was punched forward from a wide
barrier draw to secure an on-the-pace sit in the 2000 metre event and produced a sustained sprint down the home stretch to win by three-quarters of a length over Jonathan Josh. A further 1 lengths away in third position was D Major.
"That takes the pressure off Richard [Yuill, co-trainer] and I because he's had his first start over 2000 metres and won it," said Jillings. "That's very pleasing because every start we've given him has suggested that he'll cope with a step up to 2000 and 2400 metres.
"Now that he has two wins to his name he'll clinch a starting spot in the Derby field on Boxing Day. The win today was very important because they're a very good crop of three-year-olds and I expect the competition to be very tough to get a starting spot in the Derby field.
"I see that Xcellent ran a full second quicker than us today when beating the older horses over 2000 metres. I think he'll be the horse to beat."
The Mike Moroney and Andrew Scott-trained Xcellent made it two wins from as many starts when winning a qualifying heat of the Dunstan Feeds Series.
Cheval De Troy will race at Ellerslie on Sunday week in the Bonecrusher Stakes and have a change of jockey. Mark Du Plessis will be replaced by the suspended Opie Bosson, who has the mount in the Derby.
Jillings has won five NZ Derbies and is adamant Cheval De Troy has the class, stamina and athletic ability to secure that elusive sixth victory.
Jonathan Josh caught the eye with an impressive last sprint to finish second while Daddy Knows Best covered a stack of extra ground and battled gamely.
