Trainer Peter Gelagotis at his Moe property with his Hvasstan. Picture: Ian Currie Source: Herald Sun
FOR raw emotion on the racetrack, no-one beats Victoria's Gelagotis brothers.
And according to trainer Peter Gelagotis, no-one will beat their colt Hvasstan when he runs in next month's Australian Derby at Randwick.
Gelagotis, his brother Manny and Hvasstan are on their way to Sydney on a mission to prove what they firmly believe to be true - that their colt is Australia's best staying three-year-old.
Stung by suggestions that the form surrounding Hvasstan is suspect, the Gelagotis brothers are out to convince the doubters their Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) winner is up with the best.
"It's crazy, he was up there with Fiveandahalfstar and Super Cool in the spring and ahead of It's A Dundeel,'' Peter Gelagotis said.
"His three runs this time in have been super and he still hasn't got to his right distance yet.''
Hvasstan came from last to finish fourth in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington before his Alister Clark win at Moonee Valley, having won the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) before his luckless fourth to Fiveandahalfstar in the Victoria Derby.
Randwick Guineas and Spring Champion Stakes winner and Derby favourite It's A Dundeel finished seventh in the Victoria Derby on the only occasion he and Hvasstan have met.
"His (Hvasston's) Derby run in the spring was sensational and his form since has been the same,'' Gelagotis said.
"Anyone who thinks it isn't is wrong.''
Hvasstan runs in Saturday's Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m) followed by the Group One Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick two weeks later.
Gelagotis will also use Saturday's Easter Cup at Caulfield to test another Sydney autumn prospect.
Mourinho, a tidy winner over 2040m at Moonee Valley in the spring, could be bound for Sydney's most prestigious open company distance race, The BMW, if he runs up to expectations at Caulfield.
Gelagotis had entered Mourinho for Saturday's Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill but scratched the horse after it tied up following a gallop.
"He stiffened up after some work during the week and we just couldn't take the risk travelling him ,'' Gelagotis said.
The BMW (2400m) is on April 6 at Rosehill.
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