Champion trainer, Murray Baker, has his eye on a third Derby this season when Harry has his final lead up to the Group1 Queensland Derby, in the Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben tomorrow.

The Sir Percy gelding goes into the race as an unknown quantity, having just his fourth start in a race.

Following wins at his first two starts at New Plymouth and Ellerslie, plus a third in a pattern race at Te Rapa that sealed a trip to Brisbane for the Derby.

Harry was flown to Brisbane on Sunday and has since settled into stabling on the Gold Coast, much to the satisfaction of Baker.

“We are very pleased with him, “said Baker “he looks like a good horse that needs more ground, “he added.

More will be known after the Grand Prix if he runs the 2200 right out, he would then come right into Derby calculations.

Stablemates, Bassett and Kinglike, both unraced prior to Saturday, basically had the two year old to themselves, running first and second with another first starter, Battle of Troy, finishing third.

Bassett made play for most of the trip, he was the one they had to beat, yet punters obviously took a set against him as he drifted almost double of his opening quote.

The betting was pretty persistent about the Hawkes trained Battle of Troy; she opened up favourite that is where she remained.

Both the first two placegetters are prepared at Caulfield by Peter Moody, who is training on the crest of a wave, he also won the Goodwood Handicap in Adelaide with Flamberge, and made it a double at Caulfield with Orion winning.

No firm plans have been set for Basset, he will more than likely have another race or two before any firm decisions are made.

Basset is by Savabeel, the Cox Plate success of 2004, he is currently the leading sire in New Zealand, and just about has a strangle hold on the premiership this season.

Bassett impressive first starter

Fast Approaching graduated to city company and broke a run of outs for trainer Mark Kavanagh, in winning the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap.

She went into the race as the form horse, having won twice on end at the provincials, plus a good reason to start favourite as she was the only last start winner in the race.

After beginning well the filly was in the driver’s seat from the outset, sure, she was tackled all the way down the straight, but simply refused to surrender the lead.

A good quality to have performing at both ends of her race, she is right on track to win again when next produced.

She won the seal of approval from Mark Kavanagh commenting, “she was headed at one stage and fought the challenge off, that is the sign of a good filly,” he said.

“She is bred to go much further, however, at the moment I am in no hurry to step her out further,” he added.

There is a lot of type about her, a good quality filly resembling her sire ,New Approach, a great racehorse but due to a problem he was restricted to the number of mares he could cover in any one season.

Fast Approaching returning to scale with Patrick Moloney on board

English trainer, John Berry, is pretty busy these days wearing two hats, when he is not training horses he is donning the mayoral robes for some special occasion.

On Monday night he was unanimously elected mayor of Newmarket, known as the horse capitol of the world.

Berry, 48, served as deputy to the outgoing mayor, Rachel Hood, for 12 months, he is quite passionate about Newmarket.

Nothing has changed around Newmarket for centuries, there is no need for change, you cannot buy time or tradition.

When elected Berry said, “I’m honoured to accept this role; one thing we must try to remember is that we are all on the same side.”

Racing is better served that ever on the town council, with eight of the 17 seats going to racing identities, an increase from four previously.

After a long layoff, 12 months in fact, iron horse Luckygray returned in a blaze of glory at Belmont on Saturday, winning the Group 3 Roma Cup, decided over1200 metres.

.The years have not dimmed his spirit, or his will to win, with the years his once grey coat has changed to white, but the ability remains the same.

His trainer, Trevor Andrews, was over the moon after the race, “he is a champ, racing needs good horses and they come no better than this fellow,” he said.

That was the 14^th win for the seven year old gelding, he is a triple Group 1 success with total stakes earnings of $2,679,525.

Luckygray is Queensland bred being by Bradbury’s Luck, who is a great source of winners standing at Glenlogan Park.

Real Good has the right name, it is now just a matter of living up it, a win on the Sunshine Coast was encouraging.

He has been thereabouts in his three previous races, before going for a spell he had shown a good turn of foot, and Saturday’s win could see him a likely candidate for the $600,000 J J Atkins over 1600 metres in early June.

Real Good is by Real Saga, and the second foal of his dam, Cruyff I’m Good, she was useful winning four races up to 1100 metres  

While the second leg of the American triple crown is being decided at Pimlico, in Maryland, the gates will be thrown open at Keeneland for racegoers to enjoy a telecast of the classic, and feasting on crab cakes, barbeque, plus the official drink of the Preakness, “Black Eyed Susan.”

All three placegetters in the Kentucky Derby, winner Pharoah, Firing Line and Dortmund, are expected to run, with the Derby winner, Pharoah, a warm favourite.

Wagering windows will open at 8am with the first at Pimlico, schedule for 10.30am, and the Preakness to be decided at 6.18pm, admission is free.

Keeneland had a similar day for the Kentucky Derby, a crowd of just over 20,000 poured $1.080 million into the tote facility.