Little Jumbo Prince ready to take on big guns

THE diminutive Jumbo Prince takes the first step towards tackling the big guns of Australian racing when he steps out at Doomben today.

Jumbo Prince, one of the smallest horses racing in Queensland, is being set for the Group 1 $600,000 Queensland Derby (2200m) on June 6.

Toowoomba trainer Mich- ael Nolan has no illusions about the task facing Jumbo Prince to win the Derby.

“The goliaths such as Chris Waller, John O’Shea and Peter Moody target our Group 1 Derby and Oaks,” Nolan said.

“They have a huge supply of good middle-distance horses.

“Forget talk this year’s Derby will be weaker because it is at Doomben and over 2200m. It is always a strong race and will be strong again this year.”

Nolan knows what it takes to win at the highest level with his biggest victory coming in the 1999 Doomben 10,000 with Laurie’s Lottery.

“To win a Group 1 race you obviously need a class horse and I have always felt Jumbo Prince could be one of those,” Nolan said.

Jumbo Prince will contest the McKellar Memorial (1200m) today provided the track is not too heavy.

Nolan said Jumbo Prince had shown ability from his first days on the track.

“As soon as we got him out to a bit of distance we knew we might have something a bit special,” he said.

“Every time he has got to 1800 to 2200 metres he has run well.”

Jumbo Prince will have another short course race before stepping up to the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) on May 9 and Grand Prix (2000m) on May 23.