Connections of Kiwi three year old Madison County have paid up the late entry fee for the gelding to take his place in the 2019 Group 1 $2m Harrolds Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Day One of The Championships on Saturday.
Australian Derby hopeful Madison County finished second to Angel Of Truth, above, in the Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Madison County is a two times Group 1 winner on his home turf in New Zealand and co-trainer Murray Baker recommended to pay the Australian Derby late entry fee of $44,000 after the Pins gelding finished second to Angel Of Truth in the Group 2 $200,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday.
“He has earned a start now and we are hoping Randwick will provide a better surface,” Baker told the nzherald.co.nz.
“It is a very different race to Rosehill, where they have to move earlier.”
Baker trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman and the pair saddled up Jon Snow to win the 2017 Australian Derby while Baker had collected three previous Australian Derby trophies in his own right with Mongolian Khan (2015), Dundeel (2013) and Nom Du Jeu (2008).
Madison County has only been to the races on ten occasions for four wins which includes two Group 1 victories in New Zealand in the NZ$500,000 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park in November and in the NZ$225,000 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in January.
Baker and Forsman could have two runners in the Australian Derby with a decision being made today if The Chosen One makes the trip across the Tasman after winning the Group 3 NZ$70,000 Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni in New Zealand last Saturday.
“They are only three once and his breeders, the Dennis brothers, keep telling me how his dam won twice over 2500m,” Baker said.
“So he might still go, we will probably make a decision on Monday.”
Madison County has been slotted into the Australian Derby betting at $9 with Ladbtokes.com.au while The Chosen One is listed as a $26 chance.
The Mike Moroney trained Arrogant sits at the top of the market order at $5.50 ahead of his stablemate Chapada at $6 and the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Global Exchange at $7.
Early betting for the 2019 Australian Derby at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5.50 Arrogant, $6 Chapada, $7 Global Exchange, $9 Declarationofheart, Frankely Awesome, Madison County, $10 Stars Of Carrum, $13 Extra Brut, $15 Surely Sacred, $17 Aramayo, Cossetot, Costello, $21 Angel Of Truth, Platinum Invader, Vernanme, $26 Alessandro, Dealmaker, Hawkshot, The Chosen One, $34 or better the rest.
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