Racing: Distance key for Jay in Derby

Grant Payne is counting on some Derby madness helping Jays Debut to the biggest win of his career tonight.

Payne trains the outstanding three-year-old who only lost his unbeaten record last start after being checked into a break when making his run mid-race.

Since then Jays Debut has been awesome in training but luckless in the barrier draw, meaning he will start from the outside of the front line in the $125,000 Great Northern Derby tonight.

With warm favourite Pay Me Christian drawn in barrier one punters could be excused for thinking Jays Debut couldn't win - and Payne said in a normal race they may be right.

"If it was a sprint race then we would be in huge trouble and maybe the draw would be impossible to overcome," said Payne."But this is 2700m and being a Derby there will almost certainly be attackers. These races don't come along that often so there should be moves mid-race and that should help us.

"As they say, no draw is a bad draw until after the race."

Jays Debut will go into the classic 100 per cent fit after a brilliant private workout at Alexandra Park on Monday morning.

"He worked super and I am not worried about him being checked and not having a hard run in that last race. He will be ready."

Jays Debut is one of three winning chances Payne will line up tonight, with Classic Cullen set to clash with Powerball in one of the intermediate grade features of the season.

Both horses are on their way to open class yet meet in a class four to five race.

"They are both top horses and they will need luck to win but our fella is ready."

Classic Cullen finished a strong third to Victoria Cup contender Alta Serena at the Pukekohe workouts last week and Payne says he is not concerned about his five week break from racing.

"He is the sort of horse who always keeps himself fit, being a naturally lean type."

Classic Cullen is racing for more than just the thick end of the $20,000 stake tonight. His connections are also keen to tackle the A$200,000 Chariots of Fire in Sydney next month, and victory tonight would push him one step closer to securing an invite.

Payne rates the stable's other rep, Mighty Cullen, a solid each way chance in the eighth race tonight, one of the trickier legs of Pick6.

He won second-up at Addington last start in a 1:58.2 mile rate for 1950m and has been successful before at Alexandra Park.

He does, however, clash with impressive last-start winner Jungle Jane and speedster Hippity Hop.