Spratt longshot to break Derby hoodoo
Johnson looks much better chance for women jockeys to end a zero winning record
The first thing to leave Sam Spratt’s mouth when her feet hit the ground off second-placed What’s The Story in the 2016 Derby was: “Damn, I’m going to win this race one day.”
What’s The Story was beaten the length of your forearm by Rangipo, the second time Spratt had filled the runner-up’s position.
Well, if Spratt is to fulfil her wish today she will have to do it aboard $100 chance, Tavlin.
A much better chance for women jockeys to end a zero winning record in New Zealand’s most prestigious classic will be Danielle Johnson, who climbs onto the back of second favourite Mission Hill just after 5pm this afternoon.
Johnson still bristles over finishing fifth, just on half a length from Rangipo in the NZ Derby of two years ago when things went terribly wrong in running for Valley Girl. The irony is today on Mission Hill she will be trying to defeat Valley’s Girl’s trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs who produce Danzdanzdance.
If she has one slight reservation over winning today it’s: “I wish this race was six months from now.” Unfortunately, 26 weeks from today Ellerslie will once again host the Great Northern Steeplechase.
“He will be an awesome horse in another six months,” Johnson says of Mission Hill, a stylish 3-year-old the Murray Baker/Andrew Forsman stable has always declared to be a little later developing than some of the stable’s 3-year-olds.
“But he’s doing everything right,” says Johnson, “so perhaps it won’t count against him.”
In the background is father Peter Johnson, one of racing’s greatest tactical jockeys before his retirement a few years ago. But PD as he was known throughout the industry will have no input in how his daughter handles Mission Hill today. “That’s not our job. I only say something if I feel she’s done something wrong during a race. When she first started she used to look around a lot in the home straight and I drilled into her to look straight ahead. You’ll never see her head move in the home straight these days.
“At Te Rapa one day Danielle had a great book of rides and they were small fields. I said stay off the rail because in small fields you’ll get locked up. She stayed off the rail and won three or four that day.” Danzdanzdance is a justifiable favourite. She has enormous potential to charge through the ranks and has probably the sharpest 300m sprint in the Derby field. But there remains a faint suspicion her light frame may just start to feel the pinch in the final 10 strides if the classic is run at very hard speed. The footing after showers yesterday is likely to be worse than good, similar to the testing ground in the Avondale Guineas.
Which points us to tipping Mission Hill to possibly edge Danzdanzdance out. We were more confident of Scott Base doing that provided his wide gate hadn’t turned into a nightmare, but even in his absence it should be a hugely competitive contest.
There were excuses all over the park after the Avondale Guineas, but you can make a strong case Mission Hill had the biggest claim after being blocked for a run forward at the 230m.
Last word goes to PD. “I hope she wins on Mission Hill because I bought her 15 steers at the cattle sales this morning. They cost $1000 each and she needs to win the Derby to pay me.” Kerrin McEvoy has beaten his head against the Winx wall many times before but possibly not with as much enthusiasm as he is likely to muster in today’s Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick. In all, McEvoy has ridden in 12 of Winx’s winning streak of 22 races and while he does not expect to halt the winning run of the super mare this weekend, he knows plenty is riding on how well his mount Vinland performs as the three-year-old steps to open grade for the first time. Vinland, who is trained by McEvoy’s uncle Tony, is one of eight horses set to take on Winx in today’s A$600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes where Winx has a middle draw of six as she attempts her 23rd-consecutive victory. McEvoy has gone closer than any other jockey to spoiling the party as he was aboard stablemate Foxplay last spring in the Warwick Stakes when Winx only arrived in the final few metres. McEvoy is keen to ensure Vinland is able to show his promise at the elite level.
High hopes for Felaar
Another bold showing is expected from the progressive stayer Felaar at Auckland today. “He’s got a good draw, he likes Ellerslie and in Rating 65 company he looks very hard to beat,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. Felaar will be ridden by Danielle Johnson in the Headquarters Viaduct 2100m and she will also ride stablemates Ruud Not Too (Go Racing Syndications 1400,) Insight (Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase) and Pierrocity (New Zealand Herald 1400m). “Ruud Not Too is a Group Two winner and in a Rating 85 race on a good track she can bounce back,” Marsh said. “Insight had a blood issue that came right pretty quickly, but we are a little behind the eight ball with her and Pierrocity is another exciting filly who’s much stronger now. We really like her and she’s going to improve, but she’ll run a cheeky race.” Pierrocity will be opposed by barn mate Rube Bridges, who will be ridden by Jason Waddell. “She’s the most luckless runner in the stable,” Marsh said. “She pulled a plate last time and had a heart fibrillation, but she’s good now and she also likes Ellerslie.”