Sharlene and Gary Clarke believe Patria can compete in NT Derby

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GARRY Lefoe Jr’s Brunswick Street looks the one to beat in the $135,000 Ladbrokes NT Derby (2000m) at Fannie Bay today.

But even the laid-back Darwin trainer admits his gelding will “need a bit of luck” in the talented field for three-year-olds.

“I’ll have the best Derby jockey on him – Paul Shiers,” Lefoe Jr told the NT News.

“Paul has won more Derby races than any other rider.

“But we’ll need some luck – we’ve drawn barrier 12 so the horse will have 11 other horses on his inside.”

Brunswick Street was hugely impressive in his two-length victory in the $75,000 Hot 100 Darwin Guineas (1600m) – the first leg of the Triple Crown – on July 7.

“I thought maybe he’ll push too hard too early and not make the trip, but he settled in and ran through the line really well,” Lefoe Jr said.

“Paul produced a great ride.”

Today’s lucrative feature is the second leg of the Triple Crown, which has only been won by two stayers – Brinney (1989) and Ventilago (1996).

Lefoe Jr is daring to dream he could join this list and claim the $100,000 Ladbrokes bonus.

“Of course you dream about something like that, but we’ve got to take it one step at a time,” he said of Brunswick Street, who is also one of his Darwin Cup hopes.

Gary and Sharlene Clarke had to make the tough decision to scratch their sole Derby starter – gelding Patria – from today’s long-distance feature late yesterday afternoon due to soreness.

But the Clarkes – with Gary soon to be crowned Darwin’s top trainer for the sixth-straight season – were buoyant regarding Neat Feat’s chances.

The immensely impressive seven-year-old has won six of his past seven starts heading into the $34,000 Elsey on Parap WFA (1200m), also at Fannie Bay today.

This is the same horse who can walk around in his stable all day, and for consecutive days.

“He’s been behaving as per normal this week,” Sharlene Clarke said with a laugh.

“He’ll probably go to the (Palmerston) Sprint (on August 4) and we might consider retiring him after the Carnival.”

Greg Connor’s Le Commandant – with two seconds in his past two starts – will offer a firm challenge in the WFA race.

But the Clarkes are happy with where Neat Feat is at.