Spring in their step...There were some significant spring pointers from the Qld Derby on Saturday. Winning jockey Michael Rodd believes Dariana would not have been out of place in the Victoria or AJC Oaks and he predicts she'll develop into an ideal Cups mare next season. MR says: 'She is a different filly to Faint Perfume, who is a bit more brilliant but Dariana is more a dour staying type and you have to remember she has done this on an interrupted preparation and she wasn't rock-hard there to
Spring in their step...There were some significant spring pointers from the Qld Derby on Saturday. Winning jockey Michael Rodd believes Dariana would not have been out of place in the Victoria or AJC Oaks and he predicts she'll develop into an ideal Cups mare next season. MR says: 'She is a different filly to Faint Perfume, who is a bit more brilliant but Dariana is more a dour staying type and you have to remember she has done this on an interrupted preparation and she wasn't rock-hard there today.'
Trainer Tony Noonan has high hopes for the spring with Derby runner-up Kutchinsky. He says: 'All his form was on soft ground and he might have felt it a bit but he was no match for the winner...We have always thought he was a very genuine horse and that he would be better next preparation, so he can go for a spell up here on Monday and come back in the spring.' The NZ filly Miss Keepsake ran a bold 3rd and jockey Chris Munce says she would have gone closer had she secured a clear run.