KEY POINTS:
Auckland fruit king Ronald Chan has a message for the prospective buyers of Prince Kaapstad: don't waste your time.
At least that is, not before the $700,000 Mercedes Derby (2400m) in March.
Chan, who owns the 22-store Fruit World chain, has raced horses for 25 years.
But none
has come close to the class of the group two First Sovereign Trust Great Northern Guineas winner he co-owns with friends Noon Wong and Zarina Sing.
"We've turned down a lot of money for him but we're not interested," said Chan after his career-high at Ellerslie yesterday.
"We don't want to sell - this is too much fun."
Co-trainer Richard Yuill picked the Kaapstad gelding out of the Karaka ring for $40,000 two years ago.
He didn't need a lot of arm-twisting; he was the spitting image of one of Yuill's three Derby hopefuls of the same year, Black Panther.
"I owned him myself for a couple of days until Ronny asked me if I had one for him," said Yuill.
"I'm glad he ended up with him. He's been a long-time supporter and this horse is easily the best I've trained for him."
Yuill, already a winning Derby player in partnership with Colin Jillings, has no doubt Chan's pride and joy will relish the step up to 2400m in March.
Prince Kaapstad jumped from the 1600m of the Avondale Guineas to yesterday's 2100m like a seasoned pro.
"I never had any worries with him getting the distance," said Yuill.
"You can put this horse in front or settle him in behind; it doesn't matter.
"I said to Sam [Spratt] if you find yourself in front with a round to go don't worry; he'll just go to sleep.
"But that was a gem of a ride. She's a very underrated rider."
Spratt and Prince Kaapstad got into an early race scare when the pace slackened and a runner on her outside jumped the crossing.
But Spratt said the laid-back gelding didn't miss a beat in the skirmish and she was able to get the perfect trail on the fence.
"I was actually amazed he didn't get rolled 200m out," said Spratt.
"He just stuck his head out and found another leg.
Spratt doubts the 2400m of the Derby will pose any concerns for Prince Kaapstad. "He's just so relaxed, will stay all day and you can put him wherever you want."
Yuill isn't sure where he'll next race in the Derby lead-up with Prince Kaapstad.
In hindsight he admits he made an error bypassing the Levin Classic for an R80 assignment at Te Rapa.
But the upside is he's now got a much fresher horse for the Derby.
"We're lucky that we didn't have to thrash him to get here," said Yuill.
"We can just take it easy now until the Derby without being stupid. But to be honest, the 3-year-old programme is not that crammed between now and then."
For rival Jason Waddell, the Derby can't come quick enough for Guineas runner-up Il Divo.
The lightly raced Don Eduardo gelding was clearly headed near the 200m, but fought back as if born to run 2400m.
"I don't mean to sound cocky but they won't beat him in the Derby, as long as he keeps improving" said Waddell. "He's just got too much class and guts and he relaxes too well."