Jodie and Andy Lord have won dozens of big races but will again chase a long-sought Group 1 triumph when they target the National Derby at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
With Wentworth Park set to close in 2027, this year’s January 31 Derby and Futurity finals loom as particularly significant chapters in the venue’s rich Group 1 history.
Keen Linen, a litter brother to the legendary Black Top, won the inaugural Derby at Wentworth Park in 1963 while Cultured Girl took out the initial staging of the Futurity in 1964.
Jodie and Andy Lord took out the 2004 National Futurity with Nulkaba Lass, but the Derby has eluded them.
Their dog Happy Bandit chased home Paw Oswald and Jungle Johnny in the 2025 Derby final, and on Saturday they have Fearless Bandit in box three in heat one, Texas Bandit in box three in heat two, He's A Pearl in seven in heat three, with Consigliere to exit box three in heat five.
Andy Lord said: "Each of our Derby and Futurity runners this year has a good chance, but in the Derby, I think our best hopes are He's A Pearl and Consigliere.
"They are both going particularly well right now and He's A Pearl has been absolutely flying in trials.''
Their Futurity candidates are Classy Bandit (box eight, heat one), Magic Bandit (box six, heat two), Distinction and She's Fearless from boxes one and eight in heat three, and Secret Bandit in heat four to start from box six.
Surprisingly, Andy Lord plumped for Secret Bandit as their main Futurity prospect, commenting: "She has good early speed and that's what wins big races.
"But like our Derby hopes, they can all win - and once you get into the final you have a good chance.''
Ayden's Warrior clocked a slightly below par 42.28 winning his heat of the 720m Summer Distance Plate at Wentworth Park on January 15, but Andy Lord predicts he will go "a lot better" in Saturday's $40,000 to the winner final.
Ayden's Warrior boasts a personal best Wentworth Park 720m time of 41.65 and Andy Lord said: "When he contested his Summer Plate heat the dog had only been back in our kennels for five days following a busy Melbourne campaign.
"The trip back to Sydney took a bit out of him, and then he had to settle back in again so I'm certain he will improve this week.''
Fastest Plate qualifier Light Of Mine, whose 41.99 all the way heat win was .30sec faster than her previous Wentworth Park 720m performance, has box one, the draw she had in qualifying for Saturday night.
