Magri Perfectly Poised For Richmond Derby Defence

JASON Magri heads to the races Friday night with his Richmond Derby defence anything but assured.

But with three legitimate chances in the $40,000 to-the-winner group 2 feature, the Kemps Creek conditioner looks perfectly placed to reprise last year's heroic Derby success by Catch Me Curly at the western Sydney circuit.

"I couldn't be happier with my three going into the race – with the right run and some luck I could see any of them winning – it's a hot race," said Magri.

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Last week's three heats provided some spirited racing with the Magri-trained King Cratos setting the time-standard for the final with a 30.45 three-quarter length victory over Victorian Waging War.

Tennessee Tiger landed his heat in last stride fashion over National Derby winner Oh Mickey in 30.51, while the remaining qualifier was taken out by Dylan's Magic for Minnie Finn, the son of Fernando Bale powering home to defeat Roused in 30.61.

"The draw has brought them all into the race,” Magri stated.

“Roused is well drawn in the red and the six (My Bros Ethics) should head to the fence and give King Cratos a good run early from the seven. The young dog (Zipping Zeek) in four will be a lot better for last week's run and he can win, for him it'll depend on what he does early."

Since annexing last year's Richmond Derby with warhorse galloper Catch Me Curly, Magri has continued to enjoy a sensational run of form.

So far in 2020 Magri trained runners have claimed 36 wins from the 76 races they've contested, boasting the remarkable winning strike-rate of 47 percent.

Headlining those victories is King Cratos' Group 1 Paws Of Thunder triumph, with Magri hopeful that he can add a second Richmond Derby to to mantelpiece this Friday night.

"It'd be great to win another Derby," Magri said.

"For some reason it's a race over the years that really hots up at the 600 metre boxes … that's when the whips get cracking. I'd be surprised if it's not the same on Friday night.”

When quizzed, Magri was quick to label Queensland sprinter Oh Mickey as the one to beat this Friday night.

"I was really impressed with his effort last week," Magri said.

"I've had a good look at a few of his runs and he looks to go straight from the boxes which should help King Cratos early – it's a real open race.”

Leading bookmaker Beteasy has installed King Cratos the $3.30 favourite ahead of Waging War at $4.20 and Roused $4.60 for Friday night's feature.

Queenslander Oh Mickey is $4.80 while prodigious talent Zipping Zeek is a generous $6.50.

"I've started training Roused a bit differently and he's responding to it,” Magri informed.

“I'm spacing his runs and not doing any galloping in between and he's loving it. On his sections he can lead from the inside.

"Watching Zipping Zeek live last week I was a bit disappointed. But watching it back he missed it and made a few mistakes in the run so to be beaten half-a-length in 30.50 odd at his first go in this grade wasn't bad at all.

"Sometimes young ones going up in grade can panic a bit in behind the leaders, he'll take a lot out of that and he's a dog that's got that mongrel in him, he's not afraid to make his own run."

Following Friday night's Richmond Derby Magri will begin preparing Zipping Zeek and Zipping Sultan for the fast approaching Group 2 Launching Pad at Sandown Park.

"The way the Launching Pad is shaping up it would be easier to stay in Sydney and win I reckon," Magri joked.

"But we've got tickets for them and it's the ideal race, hopefully we have some luck on Friday night first."