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Personal draws wide in South Australian Derby

3 minute read

Fastnet Rock filly on the hunt for second Group 1 victory.

PERSONAL.
PERSONAL. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Having drawn barrier 15 for last weekend's Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m), Personal (Fastnet Rock) has drawn wide again for South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) with the filly set to jump from gate 16 in Saturday's Group 1. 

The daughter of Fastnet Rock (Danehill) finished an agonising second in the Australasian Oaks and she will be on the hunt for a second Group 1, having landed the VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) earlier in the season. 

"It's not ideal unfortunately, I don't know what to say really," said co-trainer Ben Hayes. "There is a bit of deja vu because after a narrow defeat in the Wakeful she went into the Oaks on the week back-up, so hopefully she can do it again.

"We will have a good chat to Ollie (Damien Oliver, jockey) about it and come up with a plan.

"We were thrilled it was a big effort, taking ground late and through the line. Most importantly she has pulled up well."

Personal will line-up alongside Shadwell Stud-raced Azaly (Dundeel), who will jump from barrier eight in the Group 1. 

"He got the car park last time, but we thought it was a really nice run, he got held up but was very good," Hayes said.

"He was a horse we were targeting at the Derby in the spring, but he got sick after running second in the Geelong Classic.

"He has got good tactical early speed and we'd expect him to be in the first five or six and he will certainly stay."

Meanwhile, last-start Galilee Series Final Handicap (Listed, 2400m) winner Liqueuro (Fiorente) will also tackle the South Australian Derby on Saturday and he will jump from barrier six. 

Trainer Cindy Alderson said she holds confidence Liqueuro can bring it on race day, even if he doesn't show it in his trackwork.

"If you look at his race performances, you'd have to be fairly confident, I mean he's won four out of his five race day starts," she said.

"But his track work and his trials and everything he does around the stable doesn't really fill you with much confidence.

"He's obviously just a horse who brings it all for race day."

The Cranbourne-based trainer had no idea of Liqueuro's potential until he hit the track at Mornington back on January 1.

Alderson doesn't know what it is about the three-year-old as to why he doesn't show his potential on the training track.

"He's only a young horse. I don't know maybe he just doesn't show his strengths at trackwork," she said.

"He's definitely a stayer and he hasn't really got a turn of foot, so if he doesn't get those situations to suit him in his trackwork, which doesn't normally work out, then he doesn't look anywhere near as impressive.

"But he's been very fortunate that most of them have been run along at a good tempo."


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