Derby on cards for Jon Snow

JON Snow has powered his way into contention for the ATC Derby by blitzing the Tulloch Stakes field at Rosehill yesterday.

A week after New Zealand Derby winner Gingernuts mastered the same heavy track in Sydney, to claim the Rosehill Guineas, Jon Snow backed up on a third placing behind Gingernuts in the New Zealand Derby, to win the Group II Tulloch Stakes (2000m) by two and three quarter lengths.

Providing the three-year-old colt recovers from the ninth run of his current preparation, Jon Snow’s co-trainer Andrew Forsman indicated he would line up in the Derby at Randwick on Saturday.

Forsman, who trains in partnership with Murray Baker, said a call would be made on the Derby early next week but he felt Jon Snow would be staying put.

‘‘We’ll have a talk to the owners. I’m sure they’ll all want a trip over here so hopefully he comes through it well and we can have a crack at least,’’ Forsman said.

‘‘He’s got a lot of talent. There’s a lot of good form out of the New Zealand Derby. He couldn’t have impressed me any more,’’ said winning jockey Damian Lane.

Jon Snow was the only bright spot for the Kiwis with last start winner Tavago pulling up lame following a disappointing run in the Group I BMW- won by a super impressive Jameka.

Co-trainer Trent Busuttin said he appeared to have a suspensory injury.

‘‘He copped a bump 30 or 40 metres after the start but whether it happened then, I don’t know,’’ Busuttin said.

‘‘We’ll put him on the float back to Melbourne and get him assessed.

‘‘He will obviously need a long time out.’’

Humidor finished second but was likely to head back to Victoria rather than join Jameka in taking on Winx in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

The news was also not so good for La Bella Diosa who finished ninth in the Group I Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).

Jockey Jason Collett indicated she may have struggled to let down on the heavy 9 surface.

‘‘Travelled nice in the run but once I let her go she floundered in it,’’ Collett said.

Montoya’s Secret took out the Vinery by half a head over Nurse Kitchen.