CHANNEL SEVEN

QUEENSLAND DERBY

(GROUP 1)

THE homebred out of an $800 Lion Hunter mare, known as Dark Dream, enacted a classic racing fairytale in Saturday’s Queensland Derby over 2,200 metres.

A winner of the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate two starts back and never out of the placings in 10 starts, owner-breeder Mary Jane Basson has already refused big money for the gelding.

“I knocked back A$2 million, which was an extraordinarily generous offer, but he’s like my baby and you just can’t sell family, it’s as simple as that,” said Basson.

“I said to (trainer) Kerry (Parker) a number of years ago I would get him his first Group 1 and to come good on that promise has been a marvellous thing for both of us and indeed the whole stable.”

CLAW BACK

Tracking wide on the final bend, Dark Dream had two lengths to claw back at the 300 metres as Heavenly Thought looked to have a winning break at the top of the Doomben straight.

Catching the leader with 100 metres to go, jockey Tim Clark pressed home his advantage to win by a half-length from the So You Think colt Heavenly Thought. Third, almost three lengths away was the High Chaparral colt Youngstar.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to win a Group I as I only have a small stable. I think I have had six placings in Group 1s so it was nice to get one,” said Parker.