Racing: Small looks to win big at GN Derby

Leading trainer Geoff Small is getting serious about his assault on the 2004 Great Northern Derby at Alexandra Park on December 17.

Small has dominated the GN Derby, winning the last three editions of this Group One event with All Hart, Elsu and Winforu.

The Patumahoe-based trainer has nominated seven three-year-olds: Beware, Hippity Hop, Mikes Beachboy, Place Of Glory, Revagain, Southern Ruler and Spirit Of Dreams for the event.

The training sensation believes Revagain is the top ranked contender from his stable for the 2004 GN Derby.

Revagain is bred to be good, a Soky's Atom-sired colt, and a half brother to current Free-For-All pacing superstar Elsu.

Revagain is a quality equine athlete and stood up to be counted in his last-start when finishing third behind Tribute and Marika in the New Zealand Sires Stakes Final at Addington.

Revagain sat three wide outside the leaders for the closing 800 metres and was only beaten by a long neck and long head by the first two place getters.

This performance confirmed the arrival of Revagain as a serious contender in the three-year-old pacing ranks and Small is adamant the colt can give the trainer four consecutive GN Derby wins.

"Revagain's run in the (NZ) Sires Stakes Final confirmed to me that he has matured into a pretty serious type of three-year-old that has what it takes to win a Great Northern Derby," said Small.

"He was forced to do plenty of work over the last lap in an event that was run over a sprint distance and he kept fighting all the way to the finishing line.

"He's a very adaptable type of horse to drive in a race because he can either sit off the pace and sprint at the finish or work forward during a race to improve his racing position.

"He's got a bit of bottom to him and he's the type of horse that will not quit when a race develops into a real slugging match at the finish.

"I have nominated seven three-year-olds for the [GN] Derby.

"Revagain, Hippity Hop, Place Of Glory, Beware and Spirit Of Dreams are all in great form and they'll hopefully be there on Derby night. Mikes Beachboy and Southern Ruler may be reserved for some other racing options during the Auckland Cup Carnival."