Plans for a tilt at the ATC Australian Derby with Hurstville Zagreb were dashed by an untimely injury, but the three-year-old may still have the chance to reach his classic potential.
The unbeaten gelding was set to start as the favourite in a 1900m race at Rosehill on March 15, which would have led to a run in the Tulloch Stakes and potentially the Australian Derby at Randwick. However, he suffered a foot injury in the tie-up stalls and was scratched from the race, which was won by stablemate King Of Thunder.
Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton had to abandon their Sydney autumn plans but are hopeful the three-year-old can make up for lost time. Hurstville Zagreb will trial over 1050m at Randwick on Thursday, with a longer-term focus on the Queensland Derby.
“We will get through the trial and then there are a couple of nice races in Sydney for him,” O’Shea said. “We are open to everything, as always.”
If the trial goes well, Hurstville Zagreb is expected to race in a 1600m benchmark race at Gosford in two weeks. A 2000m race at Randwick follows, with the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on May 31 as a possible target.
Stablemate Maximum Dividend will also trial on Thursday after a promising spring campaign. While no grand plans are in place, O’Shea is pleased with his progress.
“He has come back really well and we’re really pleased with him,” O’Shea said. “He is right on track.”