Exciting three-year-old Brallos Pass is bound for Brisbane.
The South Australian Derby winner scored a scorching victory at Swan Hill last week and trainer Mark Watson has penciled in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby at Albion Park on July 16 as a feature race target.
Brallos Pass will tackle the Vicbred series in the coming weeks where he will clash with talented types Shadow Sax, Don’t Hold Back and Ryley Major among others before heading north.
“The Queensland Derby is definitely on our radar, he’s co-owned in Queensland and we’re keen to give him his chance in that feature. I plan on starting his next week before heading to the heats of the Vicbred series at Kilmore on June 16.” Watson said.
With success in the SA Derby, the stylish looking colt has also contested the Victoria and New South Wales Derby series this season without luck.
Following impressive efforts in the qualifying heats, luck deserted him in the respective finals where he chased home the Mark Purdon stablemates Lazarus and Our Waikiki Beach.
Last Thursday, the Major In Art – Miss Athens colt scored by a widening margin at Swan Hill while recording a personal best time of 1:53.5 when handled for the first time by talented reinsperson Ellen Tormey.
“The effort didn’t surprise me last week and the time confirmed where I think he is at right now, it’s been a really good season to date but we still have a few mountains to climb before seasons end. He’s really good right now and he’s ready for the upcoming targets.
“He’s not eligible for the Breeders Crown so that’s another reason why we’re keen to head to Brisbane for the Derby, that will be his last start for the season and then he’ll have a really good break".
"The Vicbred series will be really strong with so many good three-year-olds about but I think we have a good shot".
“As long as he comes through that series in good shape, we’ll be heading up but I’ve never raced a horse in Brisbane so I’m looking forward to challenge of getting up there and taking on a bunch of good types. We’ll head up by road and probably get there with a bit of time up our sleeve so he can settle in.”
Brallos Pass is raced by brothers, Neil and Mal Lennie.
Chris Barsby