Hawkesbury-based trainer Brad Widdup believes his progressive stayer Global Ausbred can prove to be a major player in Saturday's Group 1 Queensland Derby, with the colt's task made that much easier by a favourable draw in barrier four.
The son of Maurice is rated a 15/1 chance to follow up his last time out win in an Eagle Farm contest over 2400 metres and Widdup was delighted to hear his charge had drawn low.
Draw a boost for Global's ambitions
"It makes the job a little bit easier for him," the trainer said. "He likes to roll forward and I'm not saying he has to lead, but he will be up in that first half of the field and we can get going when we need to."
Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride Global Ausbred for the first time in the $1million race.
Widdup has been required to be patient with Global Ausbred, who has won three of his last four starts since breaking his maiden at Goulburn last month.
He was last seen winning a Benchmark 64 handicap at Newcastle on May 14th, defeating the re-opposing Anythink Goes by two lengths.
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"To win three in a preparation, he went from a maiden to a midweek against older horses and then to a (Benchmark) 78 in town at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting - I haven't had many horses able to do that and be competitive," the trainer continued.
"I think he is a pretty handy horse. I'm not getting carried away, but I will be disappointed if he doesn't run well."
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