Prince Levi starts Queensland Derby dream for Kropp

By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba trainer William Kropp hopes to confirm a Group 1 Queensland Derby mission for Prince Levi during the Queensland Racing Carnival if the gelding is successful at Doomben on Wednesday.

Kropp will be double handed with Prince Levi and The Dark Side clashing in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1650 metres.

Prince Levi made a huge step up in class from winning a maiden at Gatton in January to finishing second to the Bevan Laming-trained Savour The Dream in the 1600 metre QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap at Doomben on February 8.

Kropp has drawn confidence from Prince Levi’s run as the Laming stable has mapped out an ambitious autumn campaign for their three-year-old, starting with the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.

Savour The Dream also is nominated for next month’s Group 1 Randwick Guineas, the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas over 2000 metres and the Group 1 Australian Derby at Randwick in April.

“Prince Levi was very unlucky not to get the job done against Savour The Dream,” Kropp said.

“It took a while for him to get out and while Laming’s horse was very good the way he won, he did have a lovely run.

“If Prince Levi is as good as we think he should be up to these horses at carnival time.

“If he runs well enough he’ll probably have a short ease up after one more run and take the traditional route to the Queensland Derby via the Rough Habit Plate.”

Kropp has been training since the 2019-20 season and prepares a dozen horses at Toowoomba.

He used to ride trackwork but has given up to concentrate on training.

“I used to ride a lot of trackwork but I gave it away two months ago as I’m too big and heavy now and it’s painful on my back,” he said.

Kropp also believes The Dark Side will be competitive after finishing second in a three-year-old Benchmark race at Gatton on February 8.

“He’s been crying out for 1600 metres and Les Tilley thought he should have won when he got off him at Gatton,” Kropp said.

Kropp has booked Taylor Marshall again to partner Prince Levi while Mark Du Plessis will be legged aboard The Dark Side.