Trainer Kelso Wood hopes the path to the Group One Queensland Derby with stablemates Man From Oz and Igles Star will become a little clearer after the Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm.Wood is confident both three-year-olds have shown enough to warrant campaigning towards the Queensland Derby (2400m) in June but will get a better idea after Saturday's 1600-metre Group Three feature."They are both on the way to the Derby and they'll both run against each other again in the Rough Habit Plate," Wood sa
Trainer Kelso Wood hopes the path to the Group One Queensland Derby with stablemates Man From Oz and Igles Star will become a little clearer after the Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm.
Wood is confident both three-year-olds have shown enough to warrant campaigning towards the Queensland Derby (2400m) in June but will get a better idea after Saturday's 1600-metre Group Three feature.
"They are both on the way to the Derby and they'll both run against each other again in the Rough Habit Plate," Wood said.
"They'll go to the Queensland Guineas if they show they can't stay."
The Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m), a set weights race for three-year-olds, will be run at Eagle Farm on May 14, four weeks before the Queensland Derby and Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 11.
Eagle Farm was rated a slow (7) on Wednesday which has left Wood with some concerns for Igles Star who has never started on a rain-affected track.
The wily Eagle Farm trainer has no similar worries with Man From Oz who has won his only two starts on slow and heavy tracks.
"Man From Oz won't have a problem in the wet and we'll soon see how Igles Star handles it if we get a wet track on Saturday," Wood said.
Leading jockey Chris Munce has been engaged to ride Man From Oz who finished 10th for Wood's apprentice Michael Hellyer to Tycoon's Pride in a 1350-metre class six at Doomben on April 16.
Last-start rider Jason Taylor retains the mount on Igles Star following the gelding's close fourth to Steel Zip in the Listed Queensland Day Plate (1350m) on the same day.
"It was a terrific run and I think he can stay all day," Wood said.
"I'm confident Man From Oz also will get over ground so hopefully they'll head to the Derby."
Wood has a strong winter carnival team this year and also has a strong hand in Saturday's Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) with Zero Rock.
Zero Rock is resuming following her second to Bold Glance in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.
Wood normally gives Zero Rock a barrier trial before she returns but decided to give her two jumpouts to prepare her for her comeback.
"The timing of the barrier trials didn't suit so she's only had a couple of jumpouts," he said.
Zero Rock has a 50 per cent winning strike rate with 10 wins from 20 starts and also has an excellent first-up record with two wins and a second from four starts.
The five-year-old, who will proceed next to the Group Three Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 21, is among the 147 nominations for the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11.