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A Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) start is on the line for Flying Feet at Matamata on Friday.
The son of Ocean Park is currently a $41 chance for the Vodafone-sponsored classic and excitement is mounting in the three-year-old’s camp.
“To have a horse of his quality so early in my career is fantastic,” trainer Joe Waldron said.
“As long as he runs up to expectations, he’ll be heading to the Derby and he’ll go to the Avondale Guineas first to have a look around Ellerslie.”
Raised at Curraghmore for Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Flying Feet was runner-up on debut behind Ladynadel who subsequently finished fourth in the Gr.3 Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m).
He then broke his maiden at his next appearance in the hands of Opie Bosson, who will guide the gelding’s fortunes again in the Matamata Commercial Cleaners Handicap (1600m).
“The form out of his Rotorua race has stood up really well and I imagine that it will from his last run at Te Rapa,” Waldron said.
While Flying Feet has yet to run beyond a mile, he isn’t expected to be found out when he moves up in distance.
“He’s bred to stay, he’s from a strong European family that has got over ground so I expect it to be right up his alley,” Waldron said.
Out of a French-bred Diesis mare, Flying Feet’s half-brother Goliath was a Group winner in Singapore up to 1800m and his pedigree also features the Gr.1 French Derby (2100m) winner Intello. – NZ Racing Desk.
