By Richard Goodbody
A blistering performance from Just A Sort at Albion Park last night delivered Tony Brett a fourth Queensland Derby with bigger targets on the horizon.
Having captured last year’s Group 2 feature with Sentenced, Brett went back-to-back courtesy of Just A Sort, who jumped brilliantly from box five to take the lead and then went wire-to-wire to stop the clock in a sizzling 29.75 for the 520m trip.
The son of Aston Dee Bee finished three-and-a-half lengths clear of Cincinnati Bill and Unsee This.
The victory was the dog’s fifth on the bounce and his biggest to date, capturing the $40,000 winners’ cheque, and will now be aimed at the Group 3 Golden Ticket and Group 1 Gold Bullion in the New Year.
“He’s just a really improved – he’s always shown ability – but he was a bad box dog,” Brett said.
“He just needed a bit of confidence.
“If he didn’t lead, he might have been in a bit of trouble, but he does a really good back sectional, and got them off the bunny.”
With Racing Queensland announcing prize money increases on the eve of the TAB Golden Greys Summer Carnival, the Golden Ticket rises from $40,000 to $60,000 with the winner grabbing a guaranteed start in the Gold Bullion Final.
The Bullion has also enjoyed a stakes’ raise from $235,000 to $300,000, with Brett conceding the riches on offer were simply too good to refuse.
“It’s the perfect lead into our Group races,” Brett said.
“He has to be right in contention. You need to be a serious dog to run that sort of time.
“We’ll give him a crack at the Golden Ticket, and even if he doesn’t win that, we will be aiming to get into the Gold Bullion.
“The prize money is too good not to.”