The second of the stakes races at Flemington’s Turnbull Stakes Day has been run and won by the promising Robbie Laing-trained Polanski who took out the $120,000 Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) on way to the Victoria Derby 2013.

Polanski is 2013 Victoria Derby bound after their UCI Stakes win. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

A good race for three-year-olds heading toward the $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Saturday November 2, today’s UCI Stakes showed the potential of a number of youngsters including the deserved winner Polanski.

A bargain $4,000 buy being by a sire, Rakti, noted for producing poor mannered offspring, Polanski has now won just off $80,000 in prize money and is on way for a shot at the big time in the Derby.

“Everyone said they (Rakti’s) were dills and said they were hard to handle,” Laing said.

“But he had a lovely shoulder on him, was a good walker and I was always wanted to get a Rakti.”

Luckless in the autumn when they lost a Caulfield race due to a positive swab, Polanski bounced back today to beat home a good field.

“He was very unfortunate back in the autumn when he lost that race on a positive swab,” Laing told TVN after the UCI win.

Race favourite Rockford pinged away from the barriers and led the field while Polanski got themselves into a lovely position fourth on the outside.

On the home straight however Polanski started to come home strongly, while others from the back also made their moves on the frontrunners.

After finding the front with around 200m left to travel, responding to jockey Dean Yendall, Polanski ($13) beat home a fast finishing Epic Saga ($10) by a neck with the Michael Moroney-trained Famechon storming home for a cracking third a length off the winner.

Famechon probably produced the best run of the race having sat wide midfield without cover throughout after jumping from an awkward barrier 13 draw, something that likely cost them the race as they covered lots of ground late.

Laing confirmed Polanski would now go down the traditional Victoria Derby path contesting the $150,000 Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 19, Caulfield Cup Day, before the Derby two weeks after that.

While confident he’s got a smart stayer on his hand, Laing’s only concern is that they could be at their peak now and not on Derby Day.

“I just hope when he gets to the Derby he’s the same shape and this weight because he was very forward for this race and very fit,” he said.

See below for the full UCI Stakes 2013 results which could prove a telling guide for Victoria Derby punters next month.

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2013 UCI Stakes Results

Flemington Race 2 – 05/10/2013