Strathalbyn trainer Greg Lesnikowski believes the experience of last year's Victoria Derby has given Tuscany View a valuable foundation for Saturday's SA Derby at Morphettville.Tuscany View finished eighth, nearly nine lengths behind SA Derby favourite Rebel Raider in the Classic at Flemington, but Lesnikowski said the development of the Tuscanos gelding in the last six months has fuelled his hopes of turning the tables."I thought he toughed out the 2500 metres in the Victoria Derby pretty well
Strathalbyn trainer Greg Lesnikowski believes the experience of last year's Victoria Derby has given Tuscany View a valuable foundation for Saturday's SA Derby at Morphettville.
Tuscany View finished eighth, nearly nine lengths behind SA Derby favourite Rebel Raider in the Classic at Flemington, but Lesnikowski said the development of the Tuscanos gelding in the last six months has fuelled his hopes of turning the tables.
"I thought he toughed out the 2500 metres in the Victoria Derby pretty well and he is more mature now," Lesnikowski said.
"The fact he did have that run last November is going to stand him in good stead to run the distance again on Saturday."
Lesnikowski said Tuscany View underlined his endurance with his quick recovery from the Derby and is sure he will be stronger at the finish of the 2500 metres this time.
"He is a natural staying horse, very clean-winded," Lesnikowski said.
"Some horses are left flat and tired after a race like the Victoria Derby but he did it very easily and he's stronger now.
Lesnikowski has given Tuscany View a Melbourne Cup-like preparation for the SA Derby, running him in races totalling 8450 metres as part of his lead-up.
Two starts ago the gelding should have won when beaten a neck into fourth place to Excelltastic in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1800m) while last start he again found trouble when fourth to Rebel Raider in the Listed Chairman's TAB Stakes (2000m).
"He got caught in traffic last time but with a nice run on Saturday he will be right in the finish," Lesnikowski said.
He said Rebel Raider was the horse to beat but an inside barrier could work against the Leon Macdonald-trained stayer.
"He has drawn barrier five and it looks like he doesn't like being inside horses," Lesnikowski said.
Lesnikowski trains 20 horses on his property five kilometres outside Strathalbyn where he has a 1800-metre training track and other facilities including a swimming pool.
He has had runners in five Group One races but says Tuscany View gives him best chance yet of figuring in the placings.
"Everything has gone well so far," Lesnikowski said.
"All the runs he has had this campaign have conditioned him nicely for this race."