Front row draw boosts Hollywood Strip's Derby hopes

RISING Sun placegetter Hollywood Strip (Sweet Lou) is drawn to win his second Derby.

The Brad Hewitt-trained harness racing star won the NSW Derby in March and is $1.55 favourite from gate five to add Saturday night’s $150,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby to his bounty.

Hollywood Strip turned heads with a mighty third to champion mare Captains Mistress and Kiwi star Marketplace in last Saturday week’s Group 1 Rising Sun.

Hollywood Strip’s effort to do the work outside the leader as a three-year-old against those four-year-olds was monstrous.

But it won’t be easy this week with Emma Stewart’s best three-year-old Brooklyn Dan drawn the pole and boasting the gate speed to lead.

Jason Grimson’s pair Zeus Lightning (gate three, $7.50) and Maxo Mighty (nine, $12) are the other key runners.

Hewitt’s luck wasn’t as good in the $150,000 Queensland Oaks final with Sparkling Sea drawing the back row (gate 10).

She was stunning leading throughout to win the Oaks Prelude at Albion Park last Friday night, but hasn’t been as effective from back row draws.

Adding to the intrigue, Luke McCarthy’s South-East Oaks winner Ripples also drew the back row (gate 10).

The big winner from the draw was Ark Sea for Hewitt’s brother, Sam. She firmed to $3.20 favourite from gate six.

Defending champion Eye Keep Smiling will appreciate not having Captains Mistress to contend with in the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl.

But she will have to overcome an outside front row draw (gate seven).

Her Luke McCarthy-trained stablemate Steno comes right into play from gate five.

FEATURE RACES DRAW

QUEENSLAND DERBY

Front row: Brooklyn Dan, Major Blitz, Zeus Lightning, Palladium, Hollywood Strip, Nimbal, Fire And Passion

Back row:n Rewatch, Maxo Mighty, Yottie, Move It Lou (emerg), Cardigan Dan, Soho Charmer

QUEENSLAND OAKS

Front row: Yirradiva, Beachbabe Croker (emerg), Oshley, Degarmea Teale, Amylee, Ark Sea, Seaside Boulevard

Back row: Perfect Delight, Sparkling Sea, Ripples, Stripes, Always B Joy, Bettor Beach

GOLDEN GIRL

Front row: Lux Aeterna, Soho Americano, Golden Fire, Wicked Confession (emerg), Steno, Ruby Rules, Eye Keep Smiling

Back row: Cool And Classy, Bella Danza, Tremendous Sensation, Sally Bigtime

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Victoria