A frenetic early burn almost cost hot favourite Ultimate Sniper and punters in the $250,000 Woodlands Derby at Alexandra Park last night.
The outstanding colt just held off stablemate Jesse Duke and Supreme Dominator in the group one but it wasn't a comfortable watch for those who took the very short odds.
Ultimate Sniper was raced hard early by Bettorstartdreaming, who eventually found the marker pegs and front before handing the lead back to Ultimate Sniper. The tactics were right but the pair went far harder than their drivers would have liked and it left the favourite vulnerable in the last 100m.
"He is a very good horse, so at the top of the straight, I thought he would still be hard to catch, but he was getting tired the last 50m," said winning driver Natalie Rasmussen.
The win capped another dominant night for the All Stars training operation, who not only supplied the quinella in the Derby but also in the $100,000 Young Guns Final where Smooth Deal beat a brave Virgil, who overcame galloping early. Sweet On Me, the first foal of champion mare Adore Me, added the Delightful Lady Stakes, suggesting she is a special filly, especially when you consider Adore Me never even raced at two yet her first born is a group two winner after only three starts.
