Custodian too good in NSW Trotters Derby

Classy square-gaiter Custodian maintained his unbeaten record this season with a dominant front running performance in the $50,000 Group 1 NSW Trotters Derby (2,400m) at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday evening.

Last season's Harness Jewels and Breeders Crown champion easily held the lead off the gate and from then on in never gave any of his rivals a look in, pouring on the speed in the back straight with a 28.7 second quarter followed by a 27.8 third quarter. With the speed too much for the trailling Empire Bay, Custodian trotted clear to win by 5.7m from a brave Four Walls and Deltasun.

Custodian's time of 2:58.2 lowered Pizza Queen's Australasian record for 3-year-old trotters over 2400m by 0.1 of a second, with the last mile run in a swift 1:59.5.

The strapping son of Muscle Mass has now won seven races, including three at Group 1 level, and banked a little over $157,000 in stakes-money.

Custodian is the best foal to date of the one-win Armbro Invasion mare Maia, who is a half sister to millionaire trotter Vulcan.

Trainer Amanda Turnbull will now aim him at the Victoria Trotters Derby and Breeders Crown, with a possible start in the Holmfield next up.