Lance O'Sullivan's confidence in Rocket Spade's prospects for Australia's richest staying classic hasn't been bolstered by the Australian performances of the pair that trailed him home in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
Rocket Spade is on the third line of betting for the A$2 million Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday after beating Milford by a short neck in the New Zealand Derby, with Frontman a further short head back in third.
But in their races since the New Zealand Derby, Milford and Frontman – who races as The Frontman when in Australia – disappointed when finishing well held eighth-placings in their Australian debuts, Milford in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and The Frontman in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m).
"If they had been running close-up it would have given us a lot more encouragement," said O'Sullivan, who trains Rocket Spade in partnership with Andrew Scott.
"Whether they've had good runs into the race or not I'm not too sure. Certainly, from our point of view it is a little bit disconcerting, but we won't know for sure until the race."