Rasmussen Declares Derby Hopeful Damian His Best Yet

Premier South Australian trainer Tony Rasmussen has paid Victa Damian the ultimate accolade ahead of his Group 1 National Derby quest which gets underway at Wentworth Park on Friday night.

"In six months he can be the best dog in the country – he's that good," Rasmussen beamed about the prodigiously talented son of 2015 National Derby winner Fernando Bale.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK FRIDAY NIGHT

"I haven't told a lot of people but he trialled 29.57 at Wentworth Park last week which was his first look at the track. Because of the different boxes his first split wasn't flash but his run home was sensational.

"He'll take a lot out of that trial. He's a serious animal. There's 37 kilos of him and it's all power. When the penny completely drops he'll be really something. It's a big call but in six months he'll be right up there.

"Because he's in SA he's not getting a lot of attention but it will come. He's the best dog I've worked with for sure."

Winner at six of his nine career starts, Victa Damian has drawn box five in heat five of the Ladbrokes sponsored National Derby heats.

The hugely exciting youngster headlines a five-pronged attack Tony and Lisa Rasmussen have on the National Derby and National Futurity heats with the SA training duo to make the 15-hour trek to Sydney on Thursday morning.

Victa Tony (heat 1, box 2) and Victa Alby (heat 2, box 8) join Victa Damian in the Derby while Queen Of Scotch (heat 1, box 7) and Victa Marli (heat 2, box 2) will go around in the Futurity.

"Victa Alby is a very nice dog as well," Rasmussen said. "Had he drawn inside I'd have been very confident about his chances. He trialled 29.90 and is the hardest chaser I have in the kennel.

"Victa Tony is only fair and has the job ahead while the two bitches Queen Of Scotch and Victa Marli can both ping the lids and if they do have a good chance.

"Queen Of Scotch went 30.11 in her trial and Victa Marli ran 30.22 after losing the first turn. Queen Of Scotch is drawn where she wants to be out wide."

Bookmakers have installed Victa Damian at $4.40 in his Derby heat where favouritism at $3.60 is held by smart northern rivers performer Boys Light Up.

The finals of the time-honoured National Derby and Futurity will feature alongside the Paws of Thunder on a champagne night of greyhound racing at Wentworth Park on January 21.