Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde has Navy King ready to fire in Group 1 Queensland Derby

Navy King started his career as a sprinter before convincing trainer Symon Wilde he was stayer worth aiming at Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.

Navy King emerged as a Queensland Derby contender with his dominant win at Flemington earlier this month. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Forcing trainer Symon Wilde to change his assessment of him has brought developing stayer Navy King within striking range of a Group 1 win in Saturday’s Queensland Derby.

Navy King started his career as a sprinter, winning his maiden over 1000m at Camperdown in January and taking on classy sprinting filly Estriella in a $1m race over 1200m down the Flemington straight in March.

Wilde initially thought Navy King would follow his sire U S Navy Flag as a successful sprinter but the three-year-old has taken to staying in the mould of his dam Eliza Blues, who ran second in the 2012 Queensland Oaks.

“He was incredibly green early and really raw,” Wilde said.

“He was going OK but just wasn’t going to the next level but as we got him out in trip, that’s when we realised he’s probably not a sprinter.

“It was more the way he was training, really, that convinced us to step him up in trip.

“He’s a slightly-built sort of horse and quite athletic and with what we were seeing in his training, we thought, ‘this bloke might stick on a little bit’.”

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Trainer Symon Wilde changed his assessment of Navy King after initially training him as a sprinter. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Navy King finished fourth at his first crack at 2000m at Caulfield on May 4 but, like many stayers, improved significantly at his second shot over the distance when a convincing winner at Flemington on May 18.

Melbourne 2000m contests have provided a springboard to Queensland Derby wins in the past with Sonntag (2014) and Magicool (2015) winning similar races to Navy King before their respective Queensland Derby triumphs.

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Wilde said the strong pace in Navy King’s Flemington win convinced him the gelding would have no issues with 2400m.

“It was run at a good tempo and that’s what gives me confidence going to 2400m,” Wilde said.

“I thought he was there to be run down if there was one to run him down but at the end of that, he showed a really nice turn of foot and he was strong through the line.”

Navy King is a $19 chance in early betting on Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Navy King started his preparation in a maiden at Warrnambool on January 7 and has had nine starts this time in but Wilde said the gelding has continue to enjoy his racing and training.

“He’s got no flaws,” Wilde said.

“He’s very sound, a good tough horse and a great eater and he’s quite happy out in his little day yard and likes the beach.

“He’s doing something different each day and that’s what has kept him going.”

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Drawing barrier 13 was the only slight hitch in Navy King’s bid for a maiden Group 1 win.

Wilde said securing early cover was important but it was up to jockey Craig Williams to find a soft run for Navy King.

“He might be able to blend across to get cover and that would have been easier from a better barrier,” Wilde said.

“But Craig can work that out on the day.”

TAB rated Navy King a $19 chance to win the Queensland Derby.

Originally published as Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde has Navy King ready to fire in Group 1 Queensland Derby