SHAMOLINE WARRIOR OUT OF DERBY

By Graham Potter | Saturday, October 31, 2009

Shamoline Warrior is out of the Group 1 AAIMI Victoria Derby at Flemington.

The colt, who has been favourite throughout the betting, has been scratched due to a high temperature reading on race-day morning.

Shamoline Warrior is a half-brother to last year’s Derby winner Rebel Raider and he earned his favouritism by winning three of his six starts, the last two victories coming in succession in Listed and Group 3 company.

Monaco Consul and Rockferry are now likely to attract most attention in the betting market.

The New Zealand bred Monaco Consul is already a Group 1 winner having taken out the Champion Stakes in style in his first run in Australia. Just how big a factor the heavy going was in that upset result (Monaco Consul started at $51) remains to be seen, but the two runners who finished behind him there, Gathering and Viking Legend, franked that form with good results in the Norman Robinson and the AAIMI Vase respectively, so nobody is going to underestimate the Mike Moroney trained colt this time around.

Rockferry, for his part, has also given notice of his above average ability in spite of having only raced on three occasions. The Danny O’Brien trained colt won his Maiden at his second start when cruising in by five lengths and then he stepped up to Listed company in the Geelong Classic where he finished in an eye-catching third placing. Still obviously improving, like most of his opposition, the distance will be no problem and he should be running on strongly at the death.

Viking Legend should also be right in the mix. The Gai Waterhouse trained runner has finished no further back than third in his last four starts (over distances ranging from 1600m to 2040m, from Listed to Group 1 company).

There are chances aplenty beyond the top three choices mentioned above. Onemorenomore, Gathering and Extra Zero head that list, but the only certainty is that it is going to be a highly competitive race with the winner having to earn his Group 1 glory.