Monumental task awaits undefeated youngster

UNDEFEATED youngster Hollywood Strip faces a monumental task in maintaining his perfect record at Club Menangle this weekend.

Winner of his seven starts, Hollywood Strip is engaged in Saturday night's New South Wales Derby for trainer Brad Hewitt.

The son of Sweet Lou qualified for the $200,000 Group One via his success in the Simpson Memorial on February 14.

As such, Hollywood Strip was able to bypass last week's heats.

Although pleased with the three-year-old's preparation ahead of the Blue Riband, Hewitt was left gutted after Hollywood Strip drew barrier 12.

Hollywood Strip slots into 10 with the removal of the emergencies.

This is the first time the Derby has been conducted over 1609 metres and it is interesting to note no Miracle Mile runner has been able to win from such a wide draw.

The $1million Miracle Mile is also on Saturday night's card.

"Over the traditional 2300 metres the outside ones had a better chance of crossing, but not from out there over a mile," Hewitt said. "Now the problem is, if you go forward you use up a lot of fuel, but if you go back, you're giving the frontrunners a huge start.

"Everyone of them is capable of running 1:50, so if you're coming from behind, you've got to go quicker."

Citing Fire And Passion as the one to beat from barrier two, Hewitt stated the "entire field" has a winning chance.

"Fire And Passion has the record and the draw, but then you look at how well Soho Charmer went to beat him in the heat," Hewitt said. "Then there is Zeus Lightning which went terrific for Jason Grimson.

"Whenever you're talking about these races they are all worthy of being in there...the quality is there from barrier one to 10, so you can't underestimate any of them.

"All I can say is my bloke is feeling terrific and now we'll just have to see how it plays out on the night."