Jake to stake Qld Derby claims

New Zealand trainer Donna Logan is hoping Jake The Muss can cement a trans-Tasman trip to join stablemate Here He Comes in the Queensland Derby.

Jake The Muss runs over 2100 metres on Wednesday at Ruakaka, his home track.

Logan and co-trainer Chris Gibbs believe Jake The Muss has the ability to run well in the Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 10, if he can make the field.

“If he wins at Ruakaka on Wednesday he’ll go to Sydney to try and get enough money up to ensure he gets in the Queensland Derby,” Logan told NZ Racing Desk.

“We didn’t take him over with Here He Comes for the Rough Habit Plate because we didn’t think he’d have enough stakemoney to get in, but as it turned out he would have got a start.

Logan was not too disappointed with Here he Comes’ midfield finish in Saturday’s Rough Habit Plate.

Both Logan and jockey Leith Innes said he would have finished closer had he concentrated on the job at hand.

“Leith came in and said he wasn’t switched on at all,” Logan said.

“He said he was too busy looking around him rather than racing properly. Leith said he was only doing half-pace down the straight.

“He’s a really dumb horse and has been a slow learner. Maybe putting some spurs on will wake him up. I’m also considering putting him over some pony jumps at Eagle Farm later this week. That should wake him up a bit more.”

Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon and Rough Habit winner Shocking Luck are the TAB’s $5 equal favourites for the Queensland Classic with Here He Comes at $21 and Jake The Muss a $26 chance.