Sentenced puts Derby field to the sword

By Andrew Adermann

Sentenced has claimed a thrilling Group 2 Queensland Derby at Albion Park on Thursday night, taking down red-hot favourite Farmor Beach in the final strides.

The Tony Brett-trained dog overcame an awkward start, where he was pushed right out from the rail on the first turn, before recovering to settle in fourth around the back straight.

Farmor Beach and Werina Express set a hot tempo up front, and approaching the final turn, it looked to be the $1.50 favourite’s race to lose.

Sentenced slowly worked his way up to the leading pair, and down the straight burst to the lead to hit the front in the final bounds of the 520-metre event, recording an official half-length victory and taking home the $40,000 to first place prizemoney.

The win followed a dominant six-length triumph in last week’s Derby heats, and makes it a fourth win on the trot for the rising star.

“He jumped really nice and that’s what we were hoping for but he just lacked that little bit of acceleration to carry it on, and they surrounded him through the first turn where he ended up fourth and out wide,” Brett said.

“When he took off down the back straight and pulled out to go around the number five, I started to get goosebumps.

“In his runs so far, you knew he was going to keep coming, but the whole time I was just seeing Farmor Beach in front and you know how good he is, but that was Sentenced’s will to win on show there.

“Timing is everything in these races and everything just fell into place perfectly; getting in there was the hard bit but once you’re in the Final then anything can happen.

“It’s funny how a dog can create that much excitement and anticipation in a few short starts, I’ve had more text messages about him than any other dog I’ve had for a long time.”

Sentenced is the progeny of National Sprint and Group 1 Winter Cup Jury, and Brett will be hoping that he that he can follow in his father’s footsteps.

“I actually don’t see many similarities between the two; Jury was a great dog but when he jumped he would just go, whereas this fella probably isn’t the quickest early but if he can position himself somewhere close then you know he’ll be in the finish,” Brett said.

“I’ve learned the hard way that you never plan too far ahead, so we just have to curb the enthusiasm a bit but potential-wise I think people are seeing what’s there and what he could be – he’s got it all ahead of him and it will be a good ride if we can keep him going.”

The lead-up to the feature race was all about the Wayne Scott-trained Farmor Beach, who was looking for an 11^th victory in 12 starts, including a dominant Ipswich Gold Cup win.

The star pup momentarily hit the lead in the straight, going past pace-setter Werina Express, before Sentenced burst past down the outside, relegating the race favourite to second on the podium.

The evening’s second feature race – the Group 2 Bogie Leigh Futurity – looked a far more even affair on paper, with half of the runners starting between $3-$5.

My Movie Star for Brett Hazelgrove broke away early to set the tempo, trailed closely by race favourite Mayoress and the highly touted Crazy Cool.

It looked to be a race in three as the field of bitches approached the final turn, before Pump It – who had settled near-last out of the boxes – flew into contention by taking a rails run and cutting the corner into the straight.

Crazy Cool still looked to have the race at her mercy, however a burst of speed within the final 15 metres saw Pump It steal the race in the final strides.

A start in the Group 2 Golden Sands over 600 metres now beckons for the two-and-half-year-old, who is a two-time winner over the distance.

Heats are scheduled to run on New Years’ Eve, with the Final a week later on January 7.

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