Swain Eyes Third Richmond Derby Title

SID Swain's bid for a third Richmond Derby begins at the Londonderry circuit this Friday night when the veteran conditioner tackles the third qualifier with his Paws Of Thunder winner Buck's Future.

Swain, who has two Richmond Derby trophies under his belt, courtesy of Cyrus The Virus (2003) and Cool Flight (2009), told the Recorder on Friday that Buck's Future has come through his recent Victorian campaign well, following three Meadows performances over the Australian Cup carnival.

"He just didn't handle the boxes at The Meadows, he handled the track fine but you can't be giving those kinds of dogs a start, he just wouldn't get down in the boxes," said Swain.

"I don't know what it is about Richmond but he's just never really gone that good there – to be honest I'd be surprised if he wins tonight, getting across off the pink there can be pretty tricky."

Victorious at 10 of his 35 starts, with his career defining win in January's Group 1 Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park, Buck's Future has had two previous Richmond outings, in the placings on both occasions, with a best overall time of 31 seconds neat.

"You'd think the track would suit him but to give you an idea, the week he finished second to Poke The Bear in the Paws Of Thunder heats I gave him a post-to-post there and he ran home in 15.20 odd. The same morning Secretly Hot (engaged in the Richmond Oaks heats) broke 15, it's a funny one, but we'll just see what happens tonight."

Considered the toughest of the four Group 2 Derby qualifiers, Buck's Future, currently a $5.00 chance with Bet365, takes on chasers the caliber of Lagoon Rhett, Black Forge and Tap Out Dusty, the latter a brilliant 29.98 last start Wentworth Park winner, while Lagoon Rhett recently posted a sizzling 29.25 at Sandown Park for trainer Terry Reid.

"I've had a lot of success at Richmond, I've won a couple of Derbies and four Cannonballs' from memory, hopefully it can continue but as I said I'd be surprised if he won tonight, but he feels great and the black (Tap Out Dusty) should give him a nice run across early.

"After Richmond I'll just be focusing on the Easter Egg with him. I need him beginning and he seems to excel at Wenty – which isn't a bad place to go best at!"