By Michael Guerin
Punters taking the short odds about star three-year-old Marketplace can expect the best version of him in the $200,000 Woodlands Northern Derby on Friday night.
That is the opinion of trainer Regan Todd as he prepares the $1.55 favourite for the first Group 1 of his season.
Nobody doubts Marketplace is our best three-year-old pacer but he has been beaten in two of his last three starts, both times when storming home after the winner put too much of a break on him.
The latest was at Alexandra Park last Saturday when driver Craig Ferguson tried to be more aggressive early by going off the gate but with four across the track he had to go back to last.
Ferguson took off at the 550m and looped the field but with a final 400m in 26 seconds and winner Got The Chocolates kicking hard, Marketplace was beaten again.
Trainer Todd says he was not disappointed with the run and expects Marketplace to be fitter on Friday.
“It is a little bit like before the Harness Million in that he will improve with the run and I think he will be in the same type of form this week as it was that night,” says Todd.
In the Harness Million the son of Bettor’s Delight worked forward to lead but then took a trail before being too good for Got The Chocolates up the passing lane.
The gate speed Marketplace showed last Saturday would suggest he could hold the lead on Friday if Ferguson wants, with only Got The Chocolates or Bettor Anvil taking a flyer from his wide draw likely to be able to cross him.
“I will leave that up to Craig but the horse is very well and he has improved since last week,” says Todd.
“And being on the marker pegs is going to be crucial over the 2700m. It always is in a Derby.”
Todd has a busy weekend with Mo’unga in the Messenger following out Republican Party while Betterthancash faces a 10m handicap in the $40,000 Regent Car Court Southern Cups Final at Invercargill’s big Diamonds Day on Sunday.
“He won well last week but meets Wag Star 10m worse off and a lot will depend on who steps best and ends up where cause they go so hard in those races.”
Todd suggests maiden trotter Amendment can make up for her debut gallop as favourite in Race 2 at Rangiora on Sunday as the stable spread their equine resources far and wide.
