Aussie heading to NZ for Derby

CREATING history recently with his Victoria Trotters' Derby success, rising star Not As Promised will attempt to end his southern campaign on a high by adding another key feature to his tally this weekend.

Causing an upset in the Maryborough-based Blue Riband, Not As Promised became the first Queensland-trained squaregaiter to win the Derby since its inception in 1914 when captured by Lucid.

Prepared by respected horseman Graham Dwyer, Not As Promised has since won a Breeders' Crown heat, earning him a berth in Saturday night's Final in Melton.

"He has done a huge job for us," Dwyer said. "We've given him eight starts for seven wins, and now he has a good shot in the Final.

"He has been on the up every day since he got to Victoria and we simply can't fault him.

"We're very happy with him, everything is spot on and we can't wait."

Nathan Dawson, who partnered Not As Promised in the Derby, will fly down from Queensland to drive the son of Betting Line, which has drawn barrier four.

Defending champion, The Locomotive, will begin from barrier 12.

"He will definitely be working forward from there," Dwyer said. "You have got to respect each runner in the field, but The Locomotive is the one to beat and his form says he should be considered just that."

In a surprise move, Dwyer revealed Not As Promised will head to New Zealand next week to tackle the Northern Derby on December 10.

"We figured 'why not?', we've got nothing to lose," Dwyer said. "He flies out next Wednesday and has about 10 days to settle in."