Palladium heading to New Zealand for Derby showdown

BRAD Hewitt is in for a busy few weeks if the cards fall his way.

The Goulburn trainer-driver confirmed his star three-year-old Palladium was Christchurch-bound for the Group 1 NZ Derby on November 20.

And he’s desperate to land a slot in the $1.5 million TAB Eureka the following night with his emerging four-year-old Forever Onthe Punt.

“I hope the (remaining) slot owners saw his run last night,” Hewitt said.

Forever Onthepunt ran third and Palladium second to old marvel Max Delight in the $100,000 Group 3 Bidgee at Wagga.

“They both went super. Forever On the Punt is absolutely flying. To follow up the great run behind Double Lou in super time with last night’s was fantastic,” Hewitt said.

“There’s interest in him. Hopefully that turns into a slot. He deserves one.”

The Kiwi-bred Palladium is booked to return “home” on Tuesday.

“It’s a big step from racing your own age to those Grand Circuit horses, but he went great,” Hewitt said.

“I thought about kicking-up and going with Max Delight when he came looking for the lead, but you’ve got to look at the big picture.

“Max Delight is a seasoned star who won the Nullarbor a few months back.

“We had our chance to run him down, but Palladium kept coming.

“And I didn’t want to risk really bottoming him with NZ just around the corner.”

Palladium won the Queensland Derby on July 18 and more recently was the best run of the race after doing all the work when fifth in the Victoria Derby.

He won at Menangle two starts back in a 1min49.6sec mile.

“I know Jumal (NZ’s best three-year-old) is a star, but I’m sure Palladium will be very competitive,” Hewitt said. “He’s tough and he’s fast.”

 

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia