Smart sprinter Malaguerra collected his second Group 1 win with a narrow victory in the Group 1 $1m Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington today.

Malaguerra, above red and yellow colours, scores a narrow win in the Darley Classic at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.

Malaguerra ($9.50) was having his second start for new trainer Peter Gelagotis who was able to get a dream result for the stable following his first up second to Star Turn in the Group 2 $400,000 Mitsubishi Electric Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on October 8.

The five year old was previously trained by Lee and Anthony Freedman who put the final touches on him before he won the Group 1 $500,000 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

Winning jockey Ben Melham had Malaguerra parked just off the leaders in the dash down the Flemington straight before he challenged for the lead at the 300m.

Malaguerra was able to find plenty under the hard riding of Melham and had enough in reserve to hold off the fast finishing Spieth ($8.50) with a head to spare.

Third placegetter Fell Swoop ($9) did a great job after facing the breeze to fight hard for third spot.

The Team Hawkes trained Our Boy Malachi was sent out as the $6 favourite in a wide betting race but unfortunately has bled from both nostrils for a second time in finishing tenth and is unable to race in Australia again.

While Gelagotis was very excited about today’s result, he was quick to pay tribute to Freedman Brothers who handed Malaguerra over in great order.

“I felt that I didn’t need to improve the horse,” Gelagotis said.

“The horse was already proven. All I wanted to do was maintain that.”

“A big credit goes to them (Lee and Anthony Freedman) for keeping the horse sound and well.

“We’ve been handballed the job, we have to do the job and we got a result today.”

Runner up Spieth was the unlucky runner of the Darley Classic and if Brad Rawiller had been able to get a clear run from the 200m, Warwick Farm trainer Bryce Heys would have trained his first Group 1 winner.

Heys was very emotional after the race but said that Spieth is definitely a future Group 1 winner.

“I am really proud of him, he is a real high quality colt and he will have his day in the sun,” Heys said.

Darley Classic Results