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Handy stayer Derringer will have his first test over 3000 metres at Moonee Valley on Friday night after trainer John Salanitri elected to dodge a stronger event at Flemington on Saturday due to a bad draw.
Salanitri said he decided to start Derringer in Friday night's Super Vobis Stayers Hcp as it looked an easier option.
The Caulfield trainer also accepted with the seven-year-old for the $100,000 Bounty Hawk Hcp (2500m) but after he drew gate 12 in the 16-horse field decided to head to the Valley.
"The Bounty Hawk wasn't that strong, but I can claim with him in the Moonee Valley race and we decided to go that way," said Salanitri who has engaged apprentice Michael Guthrie whose 3kg allowance brings the topweight in with a more manageable 55kg.
"We're hoping given a good run in the race he'll handle the trip.
"He's a handy sort of a horse and we're aiming him for a jumping career next year.
"He's already had one hurdle trial and will go out for a break after this race before we start getting him ready for the jumps season."
Salanitri hasn't previously trained a jumper but was encouraged by Wednesday's release of recommendations in the Jumping Racing Review Panel report.
Derringer ran fifth to Sentire last start in an open handicap over 2400m on a slow track at Sandown on December 3 but will appreciate Friday night's weaker race, restricted to horses who have won no more than one metropolitan race in the past 12 months.
The gelding was a winner over 2040m at the Valley last February and the latest of his three other placings around the circuit was a third to Celtic Rise and Rural Law over 2500m two starts back on November 18.
Meanwhile, Point Of Call will be trying to make it five wins in succession in Friday night's Brooks Hcp (1200m).
The four-year-old has been well placed by Cranbourne trainer Nikki Burke, winning five of his nine starts and being unplaced just twice.
The gelding won a Yarra Glen three-year-old maiden (1200m) at his second start last April from four outings in his initial preparation.
After running second to Falloir in a Sale Class 1 (1013m) when resuming on October 3, Point Of Call hasn't been beaten since, scoring at Geelong (C1, 1100m), Cranbourne (C3, 1200m), Yarra Glen (C3, 1200m), and Kyneton (C4, 1215m).
Mark Flaherty, who has won four races on Point Of Call, retains the mount.
© 2010 Published 15/12/05
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