THE two heats of the rich Globe Derby Stakes scheduled for Mowbray on Friday night have been reduced to a single prelude.
Only seven horses accepted for the premier Sires Stake race for three-year-old colts and geldings, with star youngster Jerrys Jet seemingly scaring off other rivals.
One of the other six horses in the prelude is Jerrys Jet’s stablemate Four Ex Dan, also trained by Rohan Hillier.
Jerrys Jet has won nine of his 11 starts and was so superior to his rivals at his most recent appearance that he paid a money-back dividend of $1.
Four Ex Dan has won four of his seven starts and looks a good chance to give Hillier the quinella.
The prelude is worth $10,000 and the runners will get preference for a start in the $30,000 final on June 21.
Eligible horses that don’t contest the prelude can still be nominated for the remaining places in the final.
Jerrys Jet is one of two standout three-year-olds this season but the other, No Spring Secrets, is not eligible for the Globe Derby.
He has been sent to former Tasmanian trainer James Rattray in Sydney and was placed in a trial against older horses at Menangle on Tuesday.
The last time that the Globe Derby did not attract sufficient runners for two heats was in 2013 when Riverboat Jasper won the prelude but was beaten by Pachacuti in the final.
Friday night’s meeting will also feature two heats of the $30,000 Bandbox Stakes for three-year-olds fillies, with nine runners in each.
The nine-race program starts at 6.34pm with the last race at 10.44pm.
By Greg Mansfield (Examiner)