A BIG DERBY DAY FOR US

Five runners at home and interstate on Derby Day including Peru in the classic.

Benagil is the first to go in the second race, the Vanity Stakes over 1400 metres with Luke Currie aboard.

The daughter of Manhattan Rain was far from disgraced last time out when fourth in the Thousand Guineas Prelude and will wear blinkers for the first time today.

“She’s in good order and come from the last start and worked nicely in blinkers earlier in the week,” co-trainer Glen Thompson said.

“We’ve added blinkers to help her and with natural improvement we think she’s capable of running a nice race and figure in the finish.”

Jungle Jim is on his favourite straight course in the third race, the Rising Fast Stakes over 1200 metres under Celine Gaudray.

“He’s nice and fit and been bouncing around this week,” Glen said.

“He’s on his favoured straight track where he’s won three times and he gets a nice weight drop today, albeit in a strong race.

“He’s fit and well and he will give them something to chase for sure.”

Patrick Moloney partners Not An Option in race four, the Damien Oliver over 1400 metres.

“He too is also in good form and he’s done well since his last start at Caulfield,” Glen said.

“He’s down in the weights and drawn nicely which always helps. His work has been good, he likes Flemington and with a little bit of luck we do expect him to run well.”

Peru (pictured) runs in the feature Victoria Derby over 2500 metres with Declan Bates riding. The stable has decided to take the blinkers off and replace them with a nose roll for the classic.

“He’s nive and bright and come through last week in good order,” Glen said. “This is the race we’ve had in mind for him for some time and we see no reason not to change our mind.

“He’s drawn to be able to race in the first half of the field, we think he will manage the distance and if he does then he’s in with chance.”

War Machine is in Sydney where he tackles the Golden Eagle over 1500 metres at Rosehill with Jay Ford aboard.

“We’re very happy with him, he’s done well and worked well on Tuesday with Jay Ford riding,” Glen said.

“He has to improve a bit in what looks a strong race but we think our horse will be suited by the extra distance, we plan on pushing forward, he's fit enough if good enough and we think he can give this a good shake.”

[02 Nov 24]

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