Vic Derby Heats

[Mitch]

I think a couple of these heats will be really interesting, especially heat 3.

The kiwi is all the rage in heat 1, however I think Karloo Kix is very underrated!

Heat 2 is a cracker with some top class horses, I think Charlie Machsheen is a better horse over a trip and Restrepo is a better horse at the mile. Therefore I'm tipping Charlie.

Heat 3 is also a brilliant field. I think Waldenburg is the best 3yo in Australia! Major Post and Black Caprice will certainly provide him with some sturdy competition.

It's going to be a great final if all the big guns get through!

[peteboss4]

I think a couple of these heats will be really interesting, especially heat 3.

The kiwi is all the rage in heat 1, however I think Karloo Kix is very underrated!

Heat 2 is a cracker with some top class horses, I think Charlie Machsheen is a better horse over a trip and Restrepo is a better horse at the mile. Therefore I'm tipping Charlie.

Heat 3 is also a brilliant field. I think Waldenburg is the best 3yo in Australia! Major Post and Black Caprice will certainly provide him with some sturdy competition.

It's going to be a great final if all the big guns get through!

Looks like great racing, big call Waldenburg but he is very good but I think that is the strong heat, if Major Post leads & walks a qtr then he sure can run a half. Good luck to all.

[peteboss4]

Any one know if G.McElhinney is suspended? Just noticed D.Binskin is on Theartofdelusion

[Mitch]

Any one know if G.McElhinney is suspended? Just noticed D.Binskin is on Theartofdelusion

No he is driving at Penrith tonight.

[peteboss4]

Thanks, he must have been replaced.....didn't do anything wrong imo, but its a fickle sport

[mango]

What was Grant Campbell thinking, the horse gallops and then goes to the death which is all good but you think one would look for cover instead of trying to hold Scandalman out.

[Maorisidol]

What was Grant Campbell thinking, the horse gallops and then goes to the death which is all good but you think one would look for cover instead of trying to hold Scandalman out.

Quite bad IMO, probably should get a holiday for "lack of judgement" for that one, right on with the look for cover Mango!

[ARTOFFICIAL]

Mitch Waldenburg??? What happened mate?? Only thing I can think of is maybe he is not that great in front. On face value very disappointing....

[M.John]

Grant Campbell should give up. Scandalman a nice little run tho. The kiwi who won the first heat is the one to beat for mine, would have needed the run and looked to have a bit in reserve.

[Mitch]

Mitch Waldenburg??? What happened mate?? Only thing I can think of is maybe he is not that great in front. On face value very disappointing....

Yes very disappointing. I spoke to Chris on Thursday and he thought Major Post was a run short, so for Waldenburg to control the race and be over powered late by a horse that wasn't at his peak is definitely disappointing. I agree he is a better chaser but no excuses last night.

Very happy for Chris, you won't find a nicer person in harness racing!

G.Campbell on Western Rockstar was disgraceful.

[Mitch]

Also disappointing to see Brad Bishop's article on the Harness website refer to Major Post and Chris Robinson as QLDers. Chris hails from the most famous harness racing family in NSW... Rookie error!

[eliteblood]

Also disappointing to see Brad Bishop's article on the Harness website refer to Major Post and Chris Robinson as QLDers. Chris hails from the most famous harness racing family in NSW... Rookie error!

The Turnbull's might disagree

[mark diegutis]

Yes very disappointing. I spoke to Chris on Thursday and he thought Major Post was a run short, so for Waldenburg to control the race and be over powered late by a horse that wasn't at his peak is definitely disappointing. I agree he is a better chaser but no excuses last night.

Very happy for Chris, you won't find a nicer person in harness racing!

G.Campbell on Western Rockstar was disgraceful.

Hi Mitch , I own Waldenburg . Yep , no excuses but I wasn't dissapointed at all . Major Post is very underrated and if we can be happy about loosing a race it certainly was fantastic to see the smile on Chris's face . Blake and Chris will travel down again next week and do it all again in a derby final . Thats great and we are having a ball

[peteboss4]

Hi Mitch , I own Waldenburg . Yep , no excuses but I wasn't dissapointed at all . Major Post is very underrated and if we can be happy about loosing a race it certainly was fantastic to see the smile on Chris's face . Blake and Chris will travel down again next week and do it all again in a derby final . Thats great and we are having a ball

Good for you, great to see you accept defeat graciously.
Just had a look at some Major Post times, this horse is underrated & should not be....he ran 27.6 & 28.7 his last half & 1.59.1 over 2040 as a 2yo around Parkes, thats flying!
His start before he went to Melton, he ran 28.4 & 26.9 his last half at Menangle & Mitch said, Chris said, he was a run short. Having the cold sit on Waldenburg I am not surprised at all that he got up & beat him. Even though the lead time was slower they ran the same last mile as Ideal Scott. Restepo ran 2 seconds faster for his last mile than the other heats & Scandalmans run was super.

[broncobrad]

Good for you Mark. Refreshing to hear an owner calling as it was. Outpointed on the night. Your horse owes me nothing and I hope you get a great result out of the final. All the best.

[mark diegutis]

Thanks Brad . Its not only our horse . We have met some fantastic people through this industry and had so many well wishers . The horse wouldn't have to do another single thing to have made it all more than worthwhile . Thanks again

[Mitch]

Hi Mitch , I own Waldenburg . Yep , no excuses but I wasn't dissapointed at all . Major Post is very underrated and if we can be happy about loosing a race it certainly was fantastic to see the smile on Chris's face . Blake and Chris will travel down again next week and do it all again in a derby final . Thats great and we are having a ball

Hi Mark, I agree from owners point of view it must be a real thrill! It was only a few weeks ago I had the same plan of Gamechanger contesting the Derby heats but he is now in a paddock eating grass!!

I did not mean for my comments to be in any way offensive, I have the highest opinion of your horse and I thought with all things considered that he would win that race. You're right in saying Major Post is very underrated and I spoke to Chris today who was still smiling and over the moon!!

I wish you the best of luck in the final and with the right run I still think you are the horse to beat (just don't lead). Whatever the result it will be a great Derby final.

Mitch.

[mark diegutis]

Thanks Mitch . Absolutely no offence taken . Hope Gamechanger can get back to the track and show us his best . He was a thrilling horse to watch and the depth of 3YO talent this year is unbeleivable . Thanks for your well wishes . He will be doing his utmost .

[Maorisidol]

Quite bad IMO, probably should get a holiday for "lack of judgement" for that one, right on with the look for cover Mango!

G Campbell...4 Weeks...

[mango]

Surely in that 4 weeks G Campbell can watch the replay a couple of time's and try and work out what he was thinking or what he should of been thinking.

[Lucky Camilla"s Lovechild]

Surely in that 4 weeks G Campbell can watch the replay a couple of time's and try and work out what he was thinking or what he should of been thinking.
Grant Campbell is a way better driver than that. No idea what he was thinking, unless he was under instructions. But he did cop his right whack.

[Mitch]

Thanks Brad . Its not only our horse . We have met some fantastic people through this industry and had so many well wishers . The horse wouldn't have to do another single thing to have made it all more than worthwhile . Thanks again

Mark,

The draw has certainly made this very interesting.... All 3 heat winners off the back row and plenty off speed off the front. No doubt that you wont be sharing tactics on this site but love to know what you're thinking???

Scandalman will find the front for mine and I'd expect a very solid tempo with plenty of mid race moves, the winner might just be the most patient on the night who times their run the best (stating the obvious....)!

Can't have the shorts Restrepo on fixed odds, he has not been that impressive and coming off the back row he way under the odds in my opinion. Major Post once again way over at $23, he might be drawn 12 but that might just work to his favour if the speed is hot!

Going to be a cracking race! Much better race than the Hunter Cup for me.

[mark diegutis]

Hi Mitch . For the sake of the race , I think , the barrier draw is great . Emperor Montana probably has the gate speed to cross . He led Restrepo , Charlie Macsheen , Black Caprice , The night pearl a few weeks ago from gate 4 . Philadelphia Man will no dought be driven out with the whip . They will be very carefull with Mr Nickle as he galloped out in the Breeders heat . Scandal Man has even gate speed . We could be 6 wide on the first turn , hope not . Every driver will want to be near to the lead so , hopefully , it is run at breakneck speed . Our bloke should benefit from last week . We have no idea where we will end up but Blakes a top driver so its his call . Someone else posted that the Hunter cup field was "ordinary" . I agree that this will be a much better race . We will have a ball no matter what . Good luck to everyone .

[Harold Parker]

Hi Mitch . For the sake of the race , I think , the barrier draw is great . Emperor Montana probably has the gate speed to cross . He led Restrepo , Charlie Macsheen , Black Caprice , The night pearl a few weeks ago from gate 4 . Philadelphia Man will no dought be driven out with the whip . They will be very carefull with Mr Nickle as he galloped out in the Breeders heat . Scandal Man has even gate speed . We could be 6 wide on the first turn , hope not . Every driver will want to be near to the lead so , hopefully , it is run at breakneck speed . Our bloke should benefit from last week . We have no idea where we will end up but Blakes a top driver so its his call . Someone else posted that the Hunter cup field was "ordinary" . I agree that this will be a much better race . We will have a ball no matter what . Good luck to everyone .

Sounds as though Blake is running the gate and looking for Graham to hand up to him ? : )

[Mitch]

Surprised at the lack of discussion on here with this being such a quality race.... Here is how I see it:

Scandalman to find the front with a strong tempo in play. Emperor Montana outside the leader initially with Philadelphia Man leaders back and Charlie 1:1. Restrepo will go forward early and end up outside the leader for the last lap, maybe lap and a half. Uncle Lile will lead up the 3 wide group with Waldenburg trailing, after going back early, with Major Post then on his back. Ideal Scott will be 3 fence and driven for luck in running.

If Restrepo is as good as everyone thinks he is, he will give a kick at the top of the straight and win. The placings will be filled by the fast finishing Waldenbyrg and Major Post.

I'm going to say that I don't think he is good enough to do that and will tip Waldenburg to finish strongly over the top of them to win from Major Post with Mr Nickel and Ideal Scott finishing fast in a battle for 3rd. Close up Restrepo, Scandalman and Charlie Machsheen.

Going to be a great race regardless of who wins!

[broncobrad]

Surprised at the lack of discussion on here with this being such a quality race.... Here is how I see it:

Scandalman to find the front with a strong tempo in play. Emperor Montana outside the leader initially with Philadelphia Man leaders back and Charlie 1:1. Restrepo will go forward early and end up outside the leader for the last lap, maybe lap and a half. Uncle Lile will lead up the 3 wide group with Waldenburg trailing, after going back early, with Major Post then on his back. Ideal Scott will be 3 fence and driven for luck in running.

If Restrepo is as good as everyone thinks he is, he will give a kick at the top of the straight and win. The placings will be filled by the fast finishing Waldenbyrg and Major Post.

I'm going to say that I don't think he is good enough to do that and will tip Waldenburg to finish strongly over the top of them to win from Major Post with Mr Nickel and Ideal Scott finishing fast in a battle for 3rd. Close up Restrepo, Scandalman and Charlie Machsheen.

Going to be a great race regardless of who wins!

:cool:Hey Mitch, you've analysed the Derby pretty well, but to be honest I have been overexposed to over analysis on this site over the last few days...and I guess a few of the regular contributors feel a bit like me. That said, I am strapped in for what should be a mouthwatering night of action. Going for Waldenburg too only because that Mark Diegutis really sounds like a decent bloke and I would love to see it storm home for him.

I Didnt Do It might hang on for me this time after just getting caught last week, Auckland Reactor to keep on improving and to round off the night with Trigger doing the business. I don't know what to do with Lilac Stride at Menangle. Cheers to all.

[Mitch]

Well done Mark, Waldenburg ran a super race all things considered. Didn't have much luck over the last mile.

Huge win Scandalman, he loves rolling out in front! Restrepo disappointing, Ideal Scott good, Major Post honest just over raced early.

Great season of 3yo racing ahead, hopefully Gamechanger can get over his issues and get involved also.

[broncobrad]

Still scratching my head how Restrepo got down on the markers in front of Waldenburg mid-race. It was a shame for Waldenburg that he didn't get a clear shot at the winner till it was all over. These two horses have got some great clashes to come. And Mark you would have to be proud as punch with him. Plaudits to Scandalman, he did everything right to win in convincing fashion and driven positively by Douglas gave him every chance.

[mark diegutis]

Hi Mitch and Brad . Thanks for your well wishes . We were also wondering what happened . We thought that he was just left flat footed untill Blake came off the track . Waldenburg was pulling that hard that he all but choked down and got the wobbles round that turn . It could have ended really bad but the pace had been put into the race and he recovered whilst running a 28 3rd qtr . Huge effort to finish where he did after that . The winner went absolutely fantastic . Jimmy's smile was as wide as he is high .

[broncobrad]

Hi Mitch and Brad . Thanks for your well wishes . We were also wondering what happened . We thought that he was just left flat footed untill Blake came off the track . Waldenburg was pulling that hard that he all but choked down and got the wobbles round that turn . It could have ended really bad but the pace had been put into the race and he recovered whilst running a 28 3rd qtr . Huge effort to finish where he did after that . The winner went absolutely fantastic . Jimmy's smile was as wide as he is high .

Thanks for letting us know what happened Mark, he looked a bit one paced when that occurred, and in the wash up no real damage done. Stuffed my last post up - I meant Waldenburg and Scandalman will have some great clashes. And I will be looking forward to them. Great run fella. Cheers.

[Don Corleone]

Yes congratulations Mark on a fine run with your horse. You have a nice one there and many highlights to come. Well done.

[ringman]

Scandalman went super nothing made much ground in the run home but had Waldenburg kept the trail it could have got interesting. the kiwi was a good effort and restrepo awful.