Bart Cummings’ impressive filly Dariana atoned for her non-participation in the Queensland Oaks the week before and was back to her best on Saturday claiming a comprehensive victory in the $500,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m).
Dariana disappointed her connections last start when she put her head into the adjoining stall at the start of the Oaks and was declared a runner despite never leaving the barriers as Miss Keepsake went on to claim victory.
But it was a different story on Saturday as the daughter of boom sire Redoute’s Choice was on her best behaviour and put on a brilliant performance. In the end Dariana ($5) claimed an emphatic 4 ½ length victory over $3.30 favourite Kutchinsky, who was unable to match the tough filly’s finish, with Queensland Oaks winner Miss Keepsake ($8) running on strongly for third just a further long-head away after coming from well back.
Kiwi raider Sir Time Keeper set a blistering early pace in the Derby, with Dariana settling well midfield. The fast pace suited Dariana, the promising stayer soon storming to the front to win running away.
Dariana has now won three and placed in two of her nine career starts securing over $451,160 in prizemoney, Saturday’s Derby win giving her legendary trainer Bart Cummings his 260th Group 1 success. Cummings is second only to the great TJ Smith, who in his time prepared an imposing 282 Group 1 winners.
Dariana was ridden by jockey Michael Rodd, who was also aboard the hot favourite Whobegotyou in the day’s showcase event, the $1 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Whobegotyou faded out in the sprint feature finishing 11th behind Black Piranha.
A top class day of racing saw the close of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with other highlights including the $500,000 Group 1 TJ Smith (1600m) won by odds-on favourite Pressday, the $300,000 Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) where Crossthestart claimed victory, and the $250,000 Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) taken out by the Gerald Ryan-trained Rothesay.
View the full results for all these races at the News Page of this site.
The next Group 1 feature on the Australian racing calendar will take place Saturday week on June 26 when the Group 1 Winter Stakes (1400m) runs at Eagle Farm. Get in early and secure the best odds for the Winter Stakes at IASbet.
2010 Queensland Derby Results
Place |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
SP |
Margin |
| 1 |
DARIANA |
Bart Cummings | M Rodd | $5 | - |
| 2 |
KUTCHINSKY |
Tony Noonan | C Newitt | $3.30F | 4.5 |
| 3 |
MISS KEEPSAKE (NZ) |
Andrew Scott | C Munce | $8 | 4.7 |
| 4 |
KEYORA (NZ) |
John Wheeler | H Bowman | $21 | 5.2 |
| 5 |
BRIGHTNIGHT (NZ) |
Bart Cummings | B Shinn | $26 | 6.0 |
| 6 |
SIR TIME KEEPER (NZ) |
Graeme Nicholson | D M Walsh | $15 | 6.1 |
| 7 |
SANDERSON |
Kelly Doughty | J Holder | $17 | 7.0 |
| 8 |
FAVOURS TRADED |
Alan Bailey | G Colless | $18 | 7.3 |
| 9 |
THE HOMBRE |
John Bary | J K B Riddell | $9.50 | 7.5 |
| 10 |
FIELDMASTER (NZ) |
Patrick Payne | D Brereton | $7 | 8.0 |
| 11 |
RACING HEART |
Robert HEathcote | S Scriven | $41 | 8.5 |
| 12 |
ROCKET TO RIO (NZ) |
Alan Bailey | C Williams | $26 | 8.8 |
| 13 |
MARHETA |
Michael Moroney | M J Zahra | $14 | 13.8 |
| 14 |
FACE THE FRONT |
B & R Laming | D Nikolic | $101 | 15.8 |
| 15 |
ARVAN |
Peter G Moody | L Nolen | $61 | 25.3 |
| 16 |
LET THEM HAVE IT |
Kevin Moses | C Brown | $31 | 40.3 |
| 17 |
CABEZA (NZ) |
Danny O’Brien | N Rawiller | $21 | 66.3 |
| 18 |
BLUEYS WAY |
Tim Martin | T Angland | $31 | 68.0 |
| SCR |
BENAURA GIRL |
John P Thompson | - | - | - |
| SCR |
LANDLORD |
Bart Cummings | - | - | - |
| SCR |
MOTHER’S MILK (NZ) |
John P Thompson | - | - | - |
| SCR |
OUR TIGRESS |
Michael Moroney | - | - | - |
