Monaco Consul won today’s Flemington feature, the Group 1 $1.5million Victoria Derby, in just his sixth start.
The beautifully trained Kiwi colt had a lovely run on the inside, defeating runner-up Extra Zero ($8.50) by a length with the Gai Waterhouse-trained Viking Legend ($9) in third.
Monaco Consul took control of the field in the home straight after sitting back from the leaders early, letting Onemorenomore set the pace.
First from the gate, Damien Oliver’s Onemorenomore held an uncontested lead with 1600m to go before Monaco Consul gathered momentum and stole the lead in the last 200 metres.
Monaco Consul started the race battling favouritism with Rockferry at around $4.40 following the scratching of Shamoline Warrior this morning.
Displaying an amazing turn of foot, the very relaxed colt was mounted by Corey Brown, who rode the perfect race. Giving the galloper lots of space, it was the first time Brown had ridden the horse.
A bit agitated being lead into the gate, Monaco Consul soon relaxed and won his first start since his Spring Champion Stakes victory a month ago, for trainer Michael Moroney, proving he can win on a Good track as well as in the wet. It is the New Zealand trainer’s second Victoria Derby having won the Classic with Second Coming in 1997.
By the same sire as Bart Cummings’ So You Think, Monaco Conusl is another promising colt on the up and up with a big future ahead of him.
Runner-up Extra Zero came off a good preparation form. Overracing in the AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day, the colt settled in the Derby, relaxed along the back and gave it everything in the last few paces to secure an impressive finish.
Third placegetter, Viking Legend was ridden by Blake Shinn and was bred to last the Derby distance. The consistent performer is trained by Gai Waterhouse, who has trained a Derby winner before.
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