It’s not every day you see a horse firm from $101 to $11 in the blink of an eye in a betting market on a Group 1 race.
But so impressive was the thumping last-to-first romp of Kiwi three-year-old First Innings at Ipswich on Wednesday, bookmakers didn’t miss a second when giving the Andrew Forsman-trained gelding a mighty slash in the Group 1 Queensland Derby market.
First Innings had been a huge drifter in betting on the QTIS 3YO Handicap (2180m) at Ipswich, starting at $21 after he had been $10 on race morning.
Punters obviously didn’t fancy the gelding who had drawn the widest barrier and was likely to get back in the field on a day where on-pace runners had generally been favoured. But that mattered not as Queensland jockey Jim Byrne dropped First Innings back to last before taking off, surging around the field and storming to an eye-catching victory of more than two lengths.
First Innings is now on the fourth line of betting for the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week where he will be trying to upset Peter Moody’s ace filly Autumn Angel ($3).
Seven-time Group 1 winner Byrne, who has won the Derby before on Riva San in 2008, retains the ride.
“It was a terrific win at Ipswich, we knew from the bad draw we would have to go back to basically last,” Forsman said.
“His staying qualities certainly kicked in at the end. The 2400m of the Derby at a bigger track (Eagle Farm) should suit for sure.
“He is an improving horse and some of those horses in the Derby might be coming to their end of their preparations.”
With the prizemoney he earned at Ipswich on Wednesday, First Innings now sits at 17 in the ballot order for the Derby on Saturday week and looks certain to get in the field. First Innings had a crack at the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March, but Forsman indicated there were several reasons for him finishing well beaten in 10th in the race won by Orchestral.
“He had probably come to the end of his preparation a touch and we rode him a bit upside down,” Forsman said.
“It didn’t really work out for him to be honest.
“But he had a little bit of a break after that and he’s come back a different horse.”
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