Geoff Webster will be hoping Mega Spur can go one better this Saturday night after finishing second in last week’s NSW Trotters Oaks.
The Bannockburn horseman knows his girl will have to be at her best once again when she tackles the boys in the NSW Trotters Derby at Menangle.
“She went super last week, but it's going to be tougher against the boys of course,” Webster said. “I am looking forward to it, she surprised me last week with how well she went.”
The fillies are set to play a big part in the $75,000 event, with fellow Victorian the Margaret Lee-prepared Keayang Zahara – winner of last weekend’s Oaks - expected to start favourite after drawing barrier one.
“It would be big (for her to win), but in saying that you have got the fillies like the Lees’ horse that has drawn the pole and the Andy Gath horse (Pinnie). All three horses from the Oaks are all very nice fillies,” he said.
“It’s hard to line them up against the boys, but I don’t think they can go much better. There isn’t much between them from looking at the form.”
Webster has driven the three-year-old Mega Spur on six occasions since the squaregaiter made the move from the Joe Pace stable back in September 2023.
The 68-year-old is happy to leave the driving to a Menangle specialist for the second week in-a-row.
“Luke (McCarthy) knows how to drive Menangle better than anyone else and I couldn’t get anyone better,” he said.
The daughter of El Scorcho has drawn six for the Group 1.
“She has drawn wide again, but there is a lot of speed inside her. She is a strong filly like she showed last week, so hopefully Luke (McCarthy) can work forward and get to the pegs - that would be great,” he said.
Along with Pinnie and Keayang Zahara, Victoria will also be represented by the Chris Lang and Sonia Maher-trained Thunda Struck and Anton Golino-prepared Val Thorens.