New South Wales colt Palladium (Bettors Delight) caused a surprise with a fighting harness racing win in the Group 1 $150,000 Ladbrokes Queensland Derby on Saturday evening.
It was yet another fast run race with firstly Nymbal then favourite Brooklyn Dan taking up the lead at some stage. But then not long after Maxo Mighty came charging around the field to take up the running. Palladium was then caught racing outside the leader while Maxo Mighty set a decent pace in the lead.
Yottie had the one out and one back trail while another former New Zealander Nymbal was buried back on the rails.
Maxo Mighty was giving a bold showing in the lead as Brooklyn Dan was looking for an inside run. But Palladium kept persisting as he edged towards the leaders. In yet another stirring finish Palladium just edged out Maxo Mighty who in turn finished just ahead of Yottie and Nymbal.
PALLADIUM 18 JULY REPLAY
Owner Mick Boots was mindful of the efforts of Peter Lagan and Nathan Williamson who selected the brown gelding.
They picked him and we got him from the same place as Captains Mistress at Christchurch in New Zealand.
Brad Hewitt spoke after the race.
I’ve taken my time with him. He’d had nine starts in New Zealand. I liked him. I was fairly confident before the race that he could win. But my confidence diminished when I had to race outside the leader.
However they weren’t going that hard in front and it suited with Maxo Mighty leading.
Unfortunately being Kiwi bred we can’t run him in the local Breeders series but we might consider the Victoria Derby.
The Group 1 $150,000 classic will be run at Melton on 17 October.
For complete race results, click here.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink