After the high of Winx winning her third Ladbrokes Cox Plate last weekend, trainer Chris Waller kept the Group 1 success coming on Derby Day at Flemington with stablemates Shillelagh and Tom Melbourne running one-two in the Kennedy Mile 2017 results.

The Chris Waller-trained mare Shillelagh won the 2017 Kennedy Mile on Derby Day after missing out on a start in the Myer Classic. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The last of the four elite level races on the VRC Derby Day card, this season’s Group 1 $1 million Kennedy Mile (1600m) was won by a mare balloted out of the earlier Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) worth half the prize money.

Breaking a drought by the mares going back to Divine Madonna (2006) over a decade ago, Savabeel six-year-old Shillelagh fought on well late to beat home stablemate Tom Melbourne.

“Very good winning any race on Derby Day is special,” Waller said.

“I won’t say it’s better than the Cox Plate but it’s right up there.

“She’s a good horse she’s gone to a new level this preparation.

“She came to me from NZ in good form.

“It’s a very special win.”

It was the fifth second place finish from six runs this time in for the always honest Tom Melbourne who improved on a lead-up sixth in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).

Racing a little too keenly early and fighting hoop Glen Boss, Tom Melbourne was still brave late in the two Waller horse battle with Shillelagh.

“Tom was a bit keen in the early stages but gee he fought on bravely, I knew he was good for second,” Waller said.

She backed-up from a third to Global Glamour in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) on Caulfield Cup Day and enjoyed the drop back from 56.5kg to just 52kg in the Kennedy Mile.

The Kennedy Mile winning mare came from around fifth in the run with All Our Roads leading the field around until the final few hundred metres.

Tom Melbourne moved up on the outside travelling into the race and he and the eventual winner went together over the final furlong before Shillelagh nudged ahead to hand jockey Michael Dee with his second career Group 1.

“Feels great,” Dee said after the race.

“I just can’t believe it, I was very lucky to pick up the ride.

“She’s been racing well I was able to get on the back of the right horse.

“She let down very good and was too tough in the end.”

The Kennedy Mile 2017 trifecta was rounded out the Michael Kent-trained Iffraaj entire Wyndspelle, the four-year-old in the quick back-up after a sixth in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley.

Check out the full Kennedy Mile 2017 Results below before backing the next spring Group 1 winner online at the right price through Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 Kennedy Mile Results & Finishing Order

Flemington Race 8 – 04/11/2017