O'Shea declares rival Derby favourite unbeatable if he can stay

By Glenn Davis

Sydney trainer John O’Shea believes the Group 1 Queensland Derby is all but over if the Chris Waller-trained favourite Kovalica proves he can stay in the 2400 metre feature at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Kovalica, who drew barrier five, has never raced over 2400 metres but is a short priced $1.80 favourite to give Waller his 12th Group 1 win of the season.

Kovalica ran third behind the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Huetor in the Group 1 Doomben Cup over 2000 metres on Saturday.

Waller’s Group 1 domination is being tested for the first time with Godolphin’s James Cummings only one behind on 10 wins in a tightly fought battle for the season’s Group 1 training honours.

Also, pressing for Group 1 honours is Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who secured their 10th win at the highest level with Royal Merchant in The Goodwood in Adelaide on Saturday.

O’Shea will launch a two-pronged Queensland Derby attack with Stroke Of Luck, who drew barrier four, and stable newcomer Andalus, who drew gate 19 in the Queensland Derby.

“Kovalica is the marker and is a very talented three-year-old. The race is over if he can stay 2400 metres,” O’Shea said.

“But, if there’s a chink somewhere, my two will be there when the whips are cracking.”

Andalus was formerly trained in New Zealand by Stephen Marsh and has only been in O’Shea’s stable for four weeks after finishing seventh to Major Bel in the Group 1 Australian Derby at Randwick on April 1.

Stroke Of Luck was beaten five lengths, when eighth in the Australian Derby, before heading north to finish an eye-catching third to Special Swey in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate at Doomben on May 13.

“Andalus is a genuine stayer and he’s come to me because I’ve trained for his owner, Lib Petagna, in the past,” O’Shea said.

“He trialled twice in Sydney and I was very happy with both runs.”

Under Marsh, Andalus won once and was placed in four of his 11 starts in New Zealand, including stakes placings in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes over 1000 metres, Group 3 Matamata Sliver over 1200 metres and the 2400 metre New Zealand Derby.

O’Shea was pleased with Stroke Of Luck’s third in the Rough Habit but believes he wasn’t suited around Doomben.

“The 2400 metres at Eagle Farm will suit him a lot better and he’s a genuine stayer,” O’Shea said.

“If we get any rain that will also help him.”

O’Shea has been a regular visitor to Queensland for the winter carnival and is hopeful of adding another win at the highest level to his host of Group 1 victories in Queensland.

O’Shea has won most of Queensland’s majors but is yet to win a Queensland Derby or Queensland Oaks.