The Simon and Katrina Alexander-trained filly has won five of her seven starts, including her past three in succession, culminating with an emphatic win in the G2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) – the principal lead up race to the Derby – on 19 February.
While there have been many twists and turns, especially with jockey engagements, leading into the Derby, La Crique certainly has the credentials to match the two other females to win the Derby this century – Habibi in 2013 and Silent Achiever in 2012. The former finished third while the latter won the Avondale Guineas.
Habibi was ridden by Vinnie Colgan who boasts a record six New Zealand Derby wins and will partner La Crique after the suspension of her recent three-win partner Craig Grylls. Ironically it was a suspension which curtailed Colgan’s original link with the filly, having ridden her at three of her past four starts.
Colgan has forsaken the ride on the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Pinarello despite having won on the gelding last month and despite the fact that three of his six Derby winners were trained by James.
James, a five-time Derby winning trainer, has turned to Jonathan Riddell who won the Derby in 2011. Riddell became available after the withdrawal of the Tony Pike trained Field Of Gold paved the way for stable jockey Michael McNab to ride Tutukaka whom Riddell had ridden in the Avondale Guineas. Pinarello and Tutukaka are rated the main dangers to La Crique.
Pike says a solid tempo would enhance the prospects of Tutukaka but is wary of the favourite. “I think she (La Crique) is as good a filly that has contested the Derby in a long time. She is probably a filly in that Silent Achiever class,” he said.
La Crique’s co-trainer Simon Alexander is confident the filly will cope with the step up to 2400 metres. “We have got no doubt that she will run the trip. She was very strong through the line in the (Avondale) Guineas and her dam won up to 2400 metres,” he said.
La Crique, a noted on-pace runner, is drawn ideally in barrier one.
Pinarello rises in class and James has long considered him a Derby prospect.
“We’ve long had a good opinion of him and he relaxed with the blinkers on last start and he was impressive. He is still learning and we’re hoping he can put his best foot forward in the big dance,” James said.
