Danewin Gets Second Queensland Derby Winner

As if to punctuate Danehill's first English Derby (Eng-I) win with North Light almost a week earlier, his first generation son Danewin gained his second Queensland Derby (Aust-I) success on June 12.

Named for famed French artist (Henri de) Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), the 128th winner of the Eagle Farm classic collected his fourth win in seven starts in the $500,000 (Australian funds) contest for 3-year-olds. He had a length to spare.

A winner of $2 million, Danewin had to be content with luckless seconds in the Victoria and Australian Derbys (both Aust-I). He went on to collect five group I races before Nassar Lootah bought him to headline his Emirates Park Stud in 1996. County Tyrone emerged from his second crop to win Brisbane's 2002 Derby.

Danewin's best to date is Elegant Fashion, runner up in the Australasian Oaks (Aust-I) before finding wider fame starting with the Hong Kong Derby (HK-I). With $6 million (Aust. funds) banked, she is the highest-earning Australian-bred distaffer.

Toulouse Lautrec's classic will be remembered as a 'Demolition Derby' again proving that 20 occupied gates are at least four too many. But the winner struck as much trouble as any before surging clear in deep stretch under Corey Brown.

One of few horses in his eastern seaboard barns not racing for the Ingham cerise, this gelded 3-year-old (4-1) is the fourth Queensland Derby winner prepared by John Hawkes. It is a tribute to the trainer's skill as the gangly and immature horse appeared to have done more than enough in his first serious campaign. He races for his breeders, the Mapp family, owners of Hobartville Stud, on Sydney's western rim. Toulouse Lautrec is the first foal of Dancing Colour, a daughter of the prematurely deceased Mr. Prospector horse Varick.

Devastating (11-1) ran bravely but the Pentire son had no answer to the winner's challenge. Set Up (9-1) was a farther 1 1/4 lengths away in third, the Spinning World colt the least experienced with four prior starts. Queensland Oaks (Aust-I) third, Winning Belle, headed the remainder. The 2:26.5 was 1.3 seconds outside the race record for 2,400 meters.