Wide draw won't derail Different Gravy's Queensland Derby plans
Trainer Henry Dwyer refuses to alter course despite Different Gravy landing barrier 16, committing the horse to action at Caulfield.
The draw for Different Gravy in Saturday's VOBIS Platinum Guineas (1600m) is gate 16, potentially moving to 15 should backup runner Merimbula scratch.
"He needs to start somewhere and that's been his long-term starting point, so I don't want to change a preparation just because of a bad barrier," Dwyer said.
Dwyer eyes the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm in late May as the goal for Different Gravy.
The trainer maps out four outings for Different Gravy to peak in the Derby, mirroring his 2014 triumph with Sonntag, succeeded by a Queensland winter rest ahead of a hoped-for Melbourne spring tilt.
Post-Saturday debut, Different Gravy travels to Sydney for the Frank Packer Plate (2000m) over Randwick, followed by the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben in Brisbane.
"We didn't accept in the Australian Derby, we took him out on Tuesday, just because it was all coming around a bit soon," Dwyer said.
"The mile now, then 2000 (metres) in a month's time and a lead-up run into the Derby sounds about right."
Different Gravy, a son of Ghaiyyath—the stallion behind Victoria Derby and Australian Guineas champ Observer—exceeded Dwyer's expectations with his development last time out.
From a maiden win over 1600m at Swan Hill, Different Gravy stepped up to claim a Listed race at 1800m during Melbourne Cup Carnival, capping off with the inaugural Melbourne Classic (2000m) at Caulfield.
"We thought he would improve over ground, but we didn't know how much he would improve," Dwyer said.
"It was a fair bit, and I think he's going to improve again this time.
"We got him out to 2000 metres last prep, and I think he will eat up the 2400 metres as well this time around.
"Hopefully a winter up there and then we can think about the spring down here and see how he measures up."
Find competitive racing betting markets ahead of the Queensland Derby on the leading online bookmakers.
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