Mark Kavanagh’s talented galloper Magicool enjoyed a gun run out wide and had all the momentum to beat home the favourite Werther in the Queensland Derby 2015 at Doomben Racecourse on Stradbroke Handicap Day.

Magicool enjoyed a good late win in the 2015 Queensland Derby for trainer Mark Kavanagh on Stradbroke Handicap Day. Photo: Daniel Costello.

James Winks, who celebrated his fourth Group 1 success, had the ride on the Fastnet Rock gelding in the $600,000 Group 1 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2200m) staying aboard after the duo won over 2000m at Flemington on May 23.

The Queensland Derby was Magicool’s third Derby run following his fourth in the Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) behind star WA filly Delicacy on May 9 and his fifth to Preferment in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington back home last spring.

Both of those other runs were good but not as good as his perfectly executed performance to score the upset Queensland Derby result as a $14 shot from an outside alley.

Leading them round was Peter Moody’s last start Grand Prix Stakes winner Upham who set the pace leading from High Midnight and Thermogenic.

Halfway through the race the Chris Waller-trained Sadler’s Lake took over up front running after sweeping around the outside, while Winks was taking his time with Magicool keeping the horse from going forward too early.

Luckless throughout was the in-form Kiwi-trained favourite Werther who was caught up in the run, Andrew Campbell’s Tavistock gelding coming off a Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) victory at the track and distance from last Saturday.

Magicool now was travelling around sixth as they approached the 700m, Werther caught ninth or 10^th as they came up to the turn trying to get a clear run.

Sadler’s Lake led into the straight but Magicool was coming hard and fast down the outside, Werther also starting to get up after finally finding a bit of space.

On the line it was Magicool ($14) who was first past the post from the market mover Werther ($2.40) while Michael Nolen’s Toowoomba-trained colt Jumbo Prince ($31), winner of his home town Guineas back in early May, added value to the winning Queensland Derby trifecta.

Winks gave the Queensland Derby winner a huge run down the centre of the track to give Kavanagh his 21^st Group 1 success, the trainer’s son Levi trackside to celebrate the end of a big three-year-old season for Magicool.

“It’s always hard to win a Group 1 and the boys have been patient so today’s the day,” Kavanagh said.

“He’s still been maturing all the way through mentally and I think last week against the older horses was his best performance.

“He’s going to go for a rest now but we’ll be back to look towards the spring.”

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2015 Queensland Derby Results & Finishing Order

Doomben Race 7 – 06/06/2015