The Chris Waller-trained John Dory contests the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with the progressive galloper installed a $3 favourite for the three-year-old contest.
The son of Ace High broke maiden ranks in November when winning at Canterbury over 1550m and was a game runner-up in the City To Surf 3YO (1600m) at Doomben at his most recent outing, when giving four kilos to winner Nightline whom he meets again on Saturday at set weights.
“He is a really nice progressive horse,” Waller said.
“I pick out one horse each year to target this race with the view of the horse having a break and then going back up to Queensland for the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).”
The Grand Prix Stakes switched to a December date in 2019 and has proved to be a pointer towards subsequent Queensland Winter Carnival success.
In 2021, David Vandyke's filly Gypsy Goddess won the Grand Prix before going onto claim the 2022 Queensland Oaks, while Waller produced Kovalica to win in 2022 before going on to win the 2023 Queensland Derby.
Waller also used the race as a stepping stone for Queensland Derby placegetter Caboche in 2022.
“It has worked with good success in the past,” Waller said.
“John Dory is a nice middle-distance bred horse. He is a typical New Zealand product that keeps improving and now is the time that you back the New Zealand bred horses to equal up with the Australians and often go ahead.
“At his last start, he had a big weight to carry as topweight and had a gap between runs. He will be better for that experience from a fitness perspective and race experience.
“Winkers go on on Saturday, just to sharpen him up a little bit. They went very slow last start, so hopefully he will get a more genuine speed, which would be a big help.
“We expect him to be fighting out the finish and not just that, come back a better horse in the late autumn.”
John Dory is bred and raced by ex-pat Kiwis Cam and Chas Stewart, who are now based on the North Queensland coast at Noosa where they run a successful seafood business.
The Stewarts have previously won the Grand Prix Stakes with venerable galloper Order Again.
By Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High, John Dory is out of the winning Pins mare Hirtshals and stems from the family of champion South African filly Petrava. – NZ Racing Desk
