Mark Delbridge is optimistic Friday night’s Group 2 Remedial Waterproofing Services Richmond Derby (535m) will provide the perfect kick-start to his assault on the Golden Easter Egg Carnival.

Delbridge has the versatile Quasi Bale (pictured) engaged in the $40,000 to-the-winner Richmond Derby after the son of Bekim Bale overcame a poor start to run a strong-finishing second in his heat last Friday.

And while Delbridge concedes Quasi Bale is better suited over middle distances, he’s upbeat about his Derby prospects and has his sights set on an even bigger prize in Saturday week’s heats of the Golden Easter Egg.

“Quasi Bale is probably more of a 600m dog but I’ve been told you need a strong dog at Richmond so I decided to take him up for the Derby,” Balliang-based Delbridge explained.

“I was also planning to put Chrichton Bale in the Derby but he broke down at his last start at Sandown when he was going for seven in a row. He hurt his wrist as well as both chest muscles and he’ll be out for another couple of weeks.

“I wanted to trial Quasi Bale at Richmond before the Derby heats but I wasn’t able to get up there.

“He did everything wrong in his heat but still qualified. He stumbled out of the boxes, went down on his nose and was last on the first corner but flew home to run second.

“He’s definitely good enough to win the final if he gets a clear run early. He’s about the only dog in his litter that has a bit of early speed and if he gets the start right he could land in front. If he leads it’ll be all over and if he’s within three lengths of whatever is leading down the back I think he can run them down.”

Delbridge plans to return to Sydney with Quasi Bale for Saturday week’s (March 21) heats of the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, while litter brother Opec Bale will be on trial for the Group 1 Association Cup when he contests a 720m event at Wentworth Park this Saturday night.

“I’m not sure whether Quasi Bale is good enough for the Easter Egg but you only get one chance at a race like that,” Delbridge said.

“He’s won 11 out of 23, he ran 29.33 at Sandown early on and he’s broken 34 seconds at Sandown over 595m so he’s definitely got the ability.

“I’m also taking his brother Opec Bale up to Wentworth Park for a 720m race on Saturday night. His last couple of runs have been a bit disappointing but I’ll see how he goes on Saturday and then decide whether to bring him back up for the Association Cup.”
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[youtube youtubeurl=”V_ypRDTk2cM” ][/youtube]Watch: Quasi Bale (5) shows great determination to run 2nd in his Richmond Derby heat last week.