Rainbow to Chase Derby

By Mark Ryan

MELBOURNE, Feb 1 AAP - Rick Hore-Lacy will aim talented three-year-old Chase The Rainbow at the Australian Derby and he hasn't ruled out a shot at the Australian Guineas along the way.

The Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) winner was sent for a spell after he ran below his best when seventh of the eight runners in Helmet's Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 8.

Hore-Lacy said the colt wasn't flat after his Stutt win but that the Caulfield track was too hard on Guineas day.

"It was like concrete," Hore-Lacey said.

"I spoke to another trainer who had a runner that day and he said his horse broke down because of it."

Chase The Rainbow returned to Hore-Lacy's Caulfield stables late last week to begin his build-up to the $1.5 million Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 14.

"He's been down at the beach at Corinella for a couple of months and has done plenty of work at Coronet Bay," Hore-Lacey said.

"He'll resume in a 1200 metre race at Flemington on February 18 and go into the Australian Guineas second-up if he's ready for it.

"I'd have liked him to have had two runs before the Guineas but I have run out of time.

"He's a clean-winded horse though, and could still make it to the Guineas.

"I'm getting him ready for the AJC Derby and anything else he can win on the way."

The Danny O'Brien-trained filly Shamrocker won both the Guineas and Derby last season.

A $90,000 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase, Chase The Rainbow won three of his six starts and almost $285,000 prizemoney at his initial racing preparation.

Meanwhile, stable star Toorak Toff is likely to try for a first-up win in the $1 million Newmarket Hcp (1200m) at Flemington on March 10.

The dual Group One winner made a successful comeback from a wind operation when he won the Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) second-up at Caulfield last September.

"He's set for a first-up tilt at the Newmarket. It's a tough 1200 metres and he's a tough horse," Hore-Lacy said.

"It's not set in stone. There is still a chance he could resume in the Oakleigh Plate and then go to the Newmarket."

The Oakleigh Plate (1100m) is at Caulfield on February 25.

While Hore-Lacy has been mapping out programs for his established stars, he has also been on the lookout for new ones.

He bought three colts at the recent Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast - a son of Stratum for $270,000, a Bernadini for $230,000 and a Bel Esprit for $225,000.

"They are excellent types," he said.

"You have to buy quality otherwise you might as well give the game away."