Gold Coast filly Saint Minerva is unlikely to back up in next week's Queensland Derby despite completing a quantum leap from restricted grade to claim the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm.The Alan Bailey-trained three-year-old was caught six wide in the early stages of Saturday's 2200-metre feature before top jockey Craig Williams managed to get her in to three off the fence.The daughter of Galileo, who cost $NZ150,000 as a yearling in New Zealand, was caught without cover the entire
Gold Coast filly Saint Minerva is unlikely to back up in next week's Queensland Derby despite completing a quantum leap from restricted grade to claim the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm.
The Alan Bailey-trained three-year-old was caught six wide in the early stages of Saturday's 2200-metre feature before top jockey Craig Williams managed to get her in to three off the fence.
The daughter of Galileo, who cost $NZ150,000 as a yearling in New Zealand, was caught without cover the entire trip before she exploded away in the straight to down West Australian Derby winner Markus Maximus by six lengths.
Kiwi three-year-old The Grogoch was a short head away third.
Bailey rates Saint Minerva as one of the best staying fillies he's trained but has no regrets about not accepting with her for Saturday's Group One Queensland Oaks and doubts whether she'll run in next week's Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm.
Williams would not be drawn into whether Saint Minerva, who was coming off a 1710-metre Class One win at Ipswich last start, should start in the Queensland Derby.
"I haven't got a ride in the Derby at this stage but I'm available if she runs," Williams said.
"But I'll leave the decision on whether she starts to the trainer. He knows her best but this race wasn't a normal lead-up race for the Derby."
Bailey said he would wait a few days to see how Saint Minerva recovers from her Grand Prix victory before making a final decision about a Queensland Derby start.
"I didn't accept with her in the Oaks because she missed a run at Ipswich last week and I thought it would have been too much for her," he said.
"It was a terrific run but I just wonder how strong the opposition was.
"Every time she's gone around she's done something that makes you get excited.
"She's had only seven starts and when she won a Class One at Ipswich last start Glen (Colless) got off her and said he had never ridden a horse with such acceleration."
Bailey may have a future spring contender if he decides not to run the filly next week.
"She's only little and has been too immature so what's she's done tells you something," he said.
"Apart from her first run over 900 metres she should have won every start."
Trainer Peter Moody has also ruled out backing up Markus Maximus in the Queensland Derby.
"He couldn't win the Derby on that run but it doesn't look to be that strong a race this year," Moody said.