Derby Betting / Mark Sullivan / 28 May 2009 / Leave a comment

Mark Sullivan profiles each of the finalists for Saturday night's Derby final.

Trap 1, Fear Zafonic ([4.5])
Charlie Lister's dog has an excellent record from trap one - five from eight - but the red jacket hasn't been successful since the Derby was switched to Wimbledon from White City in 1985. This extremely talented black has had a mixed campaign thus far having won just two from five in the preliminaries, even flirting with elimination at the semi-final stages when totally mistiming his start. Winner of the Racing Post Juvenile at Wimbledon (from trap one) in March and the Birmingham Cup at Perry Barr, the October '06 whelp has clocked a quickest sectional of 04.90sec (from trap two) and best end time of 28.66sec. His trainer is adept at coaxing a big break from his charges when the occasion demands it and that is certainly the case here.

Trap 2, Ballymac Ruso ([3.65])
Has hit form at the perfect time for young trainer Matt Dartnall, who last year steered this May '06 whelp to third in the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park. Electric trapping - his 04.77sec split at the quarter-final stage is one of the best ever - has been a feature of his performances and he must rely on a smart exit to avoid possible trouble from this draw. It is worth noting his best time in the competition, 28.51sec in the first round, was achieved from this draw, although there is a school of thought he that traps better from a higher draw - he set a new world record of 27.79sec for 480 metres from trap six at Monmore. So far the winner of four from five in the preliminaries, this fabulous fawn has a huge say in the outcome.

Trap 3, Farloe Reason ([8.4])
The second of two runners trained by Nottinghamshire-based Charlie Lister, who is bidding to equal the record set by Leslie Reynolds in the 1940s and 50s by winning the Derby for a fifth time. Considering his high profile campaign last year - which ended prematurely at the third round - Farloe Reason has qualified relatively quietly this term, although his 28.57sec in the third round is one of the quickest recorded in the event. The 2007 Northern Puppy Cup winner and 2008 Blue Riband winner has a best of 04.91sec for a sectional which if repeated could put him in a decent position off the second bend. There is little doubt he is capable of better than he has achieved thus far and it wouldn't come as the biggest surprise were he to play his best hand when it matters most.

Trap 4, Glenard Sunrise ([10.5])
The number two of Matt Dartnall's Derby brace, both of whom, incidentally, are owned by Patsy Byrne, no stranger to success in the competition having won it as a trainer in 1991 with Ballinderry Ash. This April '07 whelp is the joint-youngest in the final but that hasn't been a problem for a dog that has recorded four from five wins in the preliminaries and boasts a career record in the UK of six wins from eight starts. Clearly, winning is something that comes naturally to this runner, who will start as the bigger priced runners from what appears to be a difficult draw. It should be noted he was a 10-1 chance when scoring from trap four in the second round, when he also recorded his fastest time of 28.75sec - his quickest sectional is 04.90sec.

Trap 5, Kinda Ready ([25.0])
The first Derby finalist for Champion Trainer Mark Wallis. The draw doesn't appear to have been kind to a dog that would clearly prefer to be closer to the rails but it is noteworthy that he has start from trap four twice and won on both occasions. Kinda Ready has recorded one win in the five preliminary rounds and has clocked a best end time of 28.83sec at the second round stage. His best sectional of 04.98sec was recorded at the semi-final stage when starting from trap three. This two-year-old - he is the joint youngest with Glenard Sunrise - Kinda Ready has followed a high profile route to the competition having finished second to Bandicoot Tipoki in the Midland Puppy Derby, a valuable form pointer, in March.

Trap 6, Wise Thought ([3.8])
The only wide seed in the line up and winner of three of his five preliminary contests, his better form coming towards the end of the stake. Overcame one or two difficult draws at the early stages and is now beginning to look the finished article. Caught the eye as a possible Derby contender last year when an emphatic winner on the Final under card on the back of an impressive run from a highly regarded competition at Henlow. He also won the Eclipse at Nottingham last year and reached the semi-finals of the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park, going out behind a certain Ballymac Ruso. He recorded his quickest sectional of 04.90sec from trap six at the quarter final stage and a fastest time of 28.66sec in the third round. A first English Derby finalist for Martin White, who also trained Pets Echo, second to The Other Toss in the 1990 Irish Derby final.