Brisbane winter got Hawkspur hot for spring domination

HAWKSPUR is poised to put another winter carnival feature race - the Queensland Derby - on the Melbourne spring map today.

Jim Cassidy wins on Hawkspur during the Brisbane winter carnival at Eagle Farm. Picture: Peter Wallis

WITH the hottest trainer in the country and a jockey riding with the zest of someone 20 years his junior, Hawkspur is poised to put another winter carnival feature race on the Melbourne spring map today.

While its sister race has enjoyed its share of success on the big spring stage, the Queensland Derby has been a little like the misfit big brother, with winning graduates failing to measure up to the majors.

Arctic Scent and Ethereal came off Queensland Oaks success to land the Caulfield Cup.

But Derby winners have a poor record.

In the last 30 years, 12 Queensland Derby winners have run in the Caulfield Cup, with the best returns being Air Seattle's second and Tenor's third.

That can change today when Hawkspur becomes the first Queensland Derby winner to start favourite in the Caulfield Cup since the legendary Kingston Town in 1980.

Alas, not even 'The King' could complete the double, finishing third at Caulfield.

A year earlier, Double Century also started favourite, but ran 17th.

In fact, Tulloch (1957) is your reference point and he won both races when the Derby was still held in the spring.

It is a measure of the (low) esteem in which our Derby is held that some southern analysts have pointed to it being the biggest detractor from Hawkspur's chances today.

Of course, there's always more than meets the eye.

Paris Lane, who ran a record to win the 1994 Cup, had been beaten by Tenor in our Derby.

Shocking was beaten a whisker at Eagle Farm before graduating to Melbourne Cup hero.

The point is, the double can be done and Hawkspur boasts better credentials than the 12 most recent to attempt the feat, and unlike Kingston Town, isn't burdened with 60kg.

The son of Purrealist is striving to give Jimmy Cassidy his third Cup (after Might And Power and Diatribe) and a first for Chris Waller, who also has Royal Descent, Moriarty and Kelinni in today's field.

Waller believes the barrier is Hawkspur's biggest obstacle today although he also drew wide in the Turnbull Stakes and stand-in jockey Michael Walker opted to take shortcuts on the inside, which led to a number of dead-ends. With clear running he would have won easily.

Queensland Derby winners in the Caulfield Cup

2011 SHOOTOFF 9TH $31

2010 DARIANA LAST $26

2008 RIVA SAN 16TH $21

2006 ICE CHARIOT 15TH $61

2005 LACHLAN RIVER 13TH $26

2000 FREEMASON 4TH $13

1996 VALANCE 8TH $26

1994 TENOR 3RD $7

1993 AIR SEATTLE 2ND $15

1992 ROYAL MAGIC 6TH $6.50

1990 ROUGH HABIT 10TH $26

1988 BRAVERY 9TH $21