Bazeley happy to be in the Derby mix

Maxwhooshtapin’s strong last start performance has given Misty Bazeley hope that he’s poised to run another top race in Saturday’s Group 2 Schweppes-WATC Derby (2400m) at Ascot.

The three-year-old gelding will have to replicate his Melvista Stakes second and rise higher again if he’s to cause a huge racing shock and topple glamour filly, Machine Gun Gracie.

After destroying her opposition in the Natasha Stakes (2200m) and WA Oaks (2400m) she's hot favourite and at $1.65 she's poised for a third straight feature victory.

Maxwhooshtapin lost the Melvista Stakes by a half-length but finished powerfully and was cutting into the lead of Sail Session after he took off at the top of the straight.

While Machine Gun Gracie has dominated the girls this preparation, Sail Session has done the same outperforming the boys.

He links up with Machine Gun Gracie in the Derby after taking out the Melvista Stakes-J.C.Roberts Stakes (1800m) double for trainer, Dan Morton.

Sail Session is second favourite ($4.20) for the WA Derby.

Maxwhooshtapin is rated a $15 chance.

It might not be Maxwhooshtapin’s day on Saturday, but Bazeley is more than happy to have a happy and healthy horse in contention.

“I am actually excited to have a group runner, that’s the first thing,” Bazeley said to Racing WA.

“I’m excited to have a horse in a group race that actually is going to be competitive.

“I know he can stay, I know he’s fit, I know he’s ready.

“Can he beat Machine Gun Gracie?

“Probably not, but it would be real nice to run second to her, I can tell you that.”

Bazeley exposed Maxwhooshtapin first up at Bunbury last December and she didn’t have to wait too long before recouping some of the $11,000 that she paid for him in an online sale.

At his next start in January, he won a 1500m Pinjarra maiden and it was then that Bazeley started mulling over a WA Derby campaign.

Maxwhooshtapin has been a dream horse for Bazeley and win, lose or draw in the Derby, she can’t help but give a glowing endorsement of her three-year-old.

“He’s done a massive job,” Bazeley said.

“He’s been in work a while with a couple of weeks off in between.

“He’s gone from trialling to trialling again, to having his first race start, to get sent back to trials, to then winning a race to then all of a sudden, wow, we’re going to win the Derby.

“It’s massive in his first prep.

“I see him as being a cup horse for me later on.

“He’s a big raw baby, everything he does is baby stuff.

“A beautiful nice long spell and build him up next prep he should be a nice horse.

“And he’s sound, it’s a nice combination.”

The WATC Derby has attracted a field of seven starters.

Maxwhooshtapin has barrier two and Luke Campbell as his rider.

Julio Santarelli