Stars shoot for Derby

THE long-awaited clash between Tasmania’s most promising three-year-old pacers Scooterwillrev and Usain Jolt might not eventuate until they meet in the Tasmanian Derby in April.

They had impressive wins in Launceston on Sunday night with Usain Jolt scoring by 30m despite facing the breeze for the last lap in a C1 against older horses over 2200m.

Not to be upstaged, Scooterwillrev took on a three-yearold and older event over 2200m to score by six metres in a small field of six but he clocked a mile rate of 2.02.5 and ran home his last half (800m) in 58.9 after galloping at the start which had him settled 20m off the second-last horse.

Usain Jolt recorded a mile rate of 1.59.5, running home his last half in 57.5, and driver Ricky Duggan said the Tony Petersen-trained gelding could have gone quicker.

“This horse has gone to another level and this win was terrific,” Duggan said.

“I’m mindful that he didn’t defeat any top class horses but you can only beat what you’re up against and he did it with ease.

“Last time in he used to do a few things wrong and he was rough in his gait, and he was still like it at his first start this season, but Tony has changed a couple of things and he’s been much better.”

Usain Jolt won last season’s $30,000 Dandy Patch Stakes and his mission this season is the three-year-old version, the $30,000 Globe Derby, to be run in Launceston in May. Scooterwillrev is ineligible because he is not Tasmanianbred.

But given his recent efforts produced winning margins of 33.7m and 30.4m there is no question the Tasmanian Derby is within Usain Jolt’s grasp. “I haven’t let this horse rip yet so who knows what times he’s capable of running,” Duggan said.

“He’s done it tough the past two starts facing the breeze but I am pretty sure he could be even better sat up in a race.”

Scooterwillrev is unbeaten in Tasmania with two unplaced starts in Victoria in the Breeders Crown series the only blemishes in his 11 starts.

“The improvement Usain Jolt has shown this season suggests he will give Scooterwillrev a run for his money in the Derby provided his manners remain at least the same as his past two runs,” Duggan said.

The duo are likely to have at least one more start each before the Derby.