Racing: Only way is up for Sushi Sushi

Franco Hemmingway beats Chancellor Cullen in the $40,000 PGG Sales Series Graduate. Photo / Getty Images

If you thought Aussie raider Sushi Sushi was imposing at Alexandra Park last night just wait till next Friday.

That was the word from driver Greg Sugars after the Victorian pacer won his New Zealand debut untouched last night.

The Victoria Derby winner led throughout to down star southerner Terror To Love in the first heat of the $400,000 Woodlands Derby.

And while honours were shared as Terror To Love had the harder run, exceptional young reinsman Sugars said the only way is up for Sushi Sushi.

"He will definitely improve with that run," said Sugars. "He pulled a bit tonight because the boys hadn't done too much with him since he won the Derby back home.

"And his usual pattern is that he gets better with a run under his belt.

"That, and the fact he has never raced on the track here before should all combine to make him a better horse next week."

Sushi Sushi was already a hot favourite for the Derby before last night's win but could even start odds-on if he draws well at the barrier draw tomorrow afternoon.

But while beaten, Terror To Love's co-trainer Paul Court says his colt will improve too.

"We knew when the barrier draws came out last Monday we were going to struggle to beat Sushi Sushi because we were going to have to come from behind him.

"But our horse went good and he will be fitter for next week too."

The pair will be two of the favourites in what is shaping as one of the strongest classics staged at Alexandra Park in years.

But Sushi Sushi will have a big New Zealand support base too, courtesy of the Child Cancer Foundation.

The CCF launched Child Cancer month at Alexandra Park last night and the Sushi Sushi owners were asked to donate $1000 to the cause if they win the Derby next week.

In true Aussie fashion they counter-offered, saying they will donate $5000 to the foundation if they win the Derby.

"And it will be Aussie dollars too," they said, getting a huge round of applause from the Tasman Room crowd.

Earlier in the night Canterbury trainer Ken Barron's love affair with two-year-old races at Alexandra Park continued when he quinellaed the $40,000 PGG Sales Series Graduate.

Franco Hemmingway led throughout to justify his hot favouritism in beating Chancellor Cullen.

The pair had already both won heats of the Young Gun series and will be among the favourites for the $150,000 Final next Friday.

"They are both lovely horses but I think Franco Hemmingway might have a little more speed at this stage," said Barron, who tasted great success with his two-year-old during that series last season.

Aussie Derby?

* Australian pacer Sushi Sushi leads throughout to win his heat of the Woodlands Derby last night.

* Driver Greg Sugars says he will improve for next week's Woodlands Derby.

* Canterbury pacer Terror To Love also impressed.