The old firm of James McDonald and Chris Waller have combined for Group 1 glory, as Kovalica destroyed his rivals in the Queensland Derby on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Farm.
In what can only be described as one of the most impressive wins of the Queensland winter carnival thus far, Kovalica had this year’s edition of the Queensland Derby won a long way out.
James McDonald kept his mount out of trouble throughout the 2400m journey, allowing Kovalica clear-galloping room turning for home on the three-wide line.
He did so with a lapful of horse and plenty of confidence, looking over the shoulder while bolting clear with the prize.
Kovalica put the writing on the wall after last weekends’ Group 1 Doomben Cup, taking on the older horses to finish in third position behind Huetor.
This left punters more than happy to launch into the short quote and onlookers never cast any doubt as the only chasers making ground were simply playing for the minor money.
Fame found plenty of admirers with a pre-race plunge, starting at $10, while Stoke Of Luck and Promises Kept were honest as ever finding third and fourth respectively.
2023 Queensland Derby Replay – Kovalica
Chris Waller was on course for his ultra-talented gelding’s performance and praised his team for preparing Kovalica for this race towards the end of last year and overcoming a setback prior to the Rough Habit Plate on May 13.
“Obviously he has had the perfect preparation for getting the trip back prior to Christmas, he ran 2100m,” said Waller.
“There was a hiccup two weeks ago but we didn’t panic, gave him that extra run and once he hit the front I thought he was fit enough, he will be right.
“It was a faultless ride and obviously barrier draws make things so much easier.
“James (McDonald) cleverly got out in the three-wide line at about the half mile because he had done nothing up until that stage so he was entitled to get out and make his own luck.”
James McDonald was impressed by the feel Kovalica gave him as well, affirming that the Chris Waller team have a very nice horse moving forward.
“He’s a really good horse,” said McDonald.
“To show a turn of foot over those trips is something else.
“It doesn’t matter where you are in a race they make their own luck the good horses and he did that really well.
“There wasn’t a moment of fear in that race because nothing went wrong, it was poetry in motion, he galloped away really well.”
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