POLITELY DUN BOOKS TRIP NORTH for derby

He’s had the look of a derby horse since his juvenile days and Politely Dun is set to live up to that early rating in Queensland next month after running clear to score over 2000 metres at Flemington on Saturday.

Trainer Danny O’Brien said the Group 1 Queensland Derby on May 31 was well within the reach of the son of Dundeel after hitting a career peak in the Sir Henry Bolte Handicap when he burst through to score a soft win.

“He’s a big horse and he’s been a bit gangly,” O’Brien said.

“His last two runs have clearly been his best. He’s really starting to find a rhythm and really be strong at the end of his race.

“Even the other day, chasing Statuario, I thought he was terrific, and that form looks really strong as he nearly won the SA Derby.

“Obviously, he’s a Dundeel and out of a G1 mare in Politeness so he’s definitely a horse we’ve got a good opinion of, and we’re really pleased he’s starting to put it together.”

Politely Dun is surely bred for G1 races, being by the highly rated multiple derby winner out of the G1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) winner.

Politely Dun was to proceed to the SA Derby also but had to be scratched after a blood irregularity in the days leading up to the race. That setback meant he went into Saturday’s race with six weeks between runs but that mattered little in the end as he raced clear to win by a length and a half at the odds of $13.

“He was well ridden as there was good tempo in the race and Jordie (Childs) was nice and patient on him,” O’Brien said.

“He seemed to have a lap full of horse when they straightened up, but he needed things to open up and when they did he really outstayed them.

“He’s not a horse you want to take off the bridle early to hold a spot. He’s found a pattern there where he was a bit soft early in the race and chased really well at the end of a mile and a half six weeks ago and he’s done the same thing today.”

Politely Dun will see some familiar faces when he gets to Brisbane next week.

“We’ve got Hurry Curry up there for the Doomben Roses next Saturday and Brave Design, the two-year-old who ran second in Adelaide last week, he’ll be there for the Sires (Produce),” O’Brien said.

Story by Andrew Eddy for Racing.com

Pics by Racing Photos