Trainer Rod Douglas has had the Victoria Derby in the back of his mind ever since Larry's Never Late arrived from New Zealand as a yearling last year, and the gelding will give him and his owners their first runner in the Classic at Flemington on Saturday.Raced by Jonathan Munz's Pinecliff Racing Syndicate and Danny Dexter, Larry's Never Late was a $NZ77,500 purchase on their behalf by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock."They picked him out, a staying horse by Pentire out of a Zabeel mare," Douglas said.

Trainer Rod Douglas has had the Victoria Derby in the back of his mind ever since Larry's Never Late arrived from New Zealand as a yearling last year, and the gelding will give him and his owners their first runner in the Classic at Flemington on Saturday.

Raced by Jonathan Munz's Pinecliff Racing Syndicate and Danny Dexter, Larry's Never Late was a $NZ77,500 purchase on their behalf by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock.

"They picked him out, a staying horse by Pentire out of a Zabeel mare," Douglas said.

Larry's Never Late is out of Laebeel who was runner-up to Sky Heights in the 1999 Caulfield Cup.

"When he came across we came to the conclusion that they can't be winning Derbys in their first preparation. That's why we gave him a couple of runs as a two-year-old," Douglas said.

"He was immature during his first preparation and even this time I thought he would be struggling to cope.

"But over the last month he's really blossomed."

Larry's Never Late showed his connections he had a good deal of ability when he won his first start in a Kyneton two-year-old maiden over 1200m on March 30.

He was spelled after failing at Cranbourne when a well-beaten fourth in a field of five in April.

He again won first-up, in a Cranbourne restricted handicap over 1000m on August 17, and has continued to race well at four subsequent outings as his distances have been increased.

Last start he was disappointed for a run in the straight when fourth to Pre Eminence in the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 18.

"The other day when he got knocked over at the 250 metres, it might be a blessing in disguise as he had the softest run in the world," Douglas said.

"He pulled up well and hasn't left an oat. He worked well yesterday and we've got to have a crack at it."

While Munz hasn't had a Derby runner before he has had quite a bit of success with the likes of Danestorm (2004 Brisbane Cup), Above Deck (2006 Doomben Cup), Philosophe (2005 AJC Chairman's Hcp), Meurice (2007 AJC Champagne Stakes) and Molotov who was placed in the 2006 Underwood Stakes.

Since Douglas replaced Tony Noonan as private trainer for Munz, their best successes have been with Sender (2006 Sandown Guineas), Zacroona (2007 Carbine Club Stakes on Derby Day), Meurice (2006 Debutants Stakes and Maribyrnong Plate) and Sharkbite (2007 Lord Stakes).

But a Derby victory would clearly top all of those achievements.

Larry's Never Late will be ridden by James Winks who has been aboard the gelding at his past four starts.

Caulfield Guineas winner Whobegotyou dominates the betting as $1.55 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Pre Eminence at $9, Larry's Never Late at $11, Buffet at $13 with My Scotsgrey best of the rest at $17.