Three-year old Extra Brut looks on track for next month’s $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) following success in the listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Champion trainer Darren Weir nabbed first and third in the race with fellow stablemate Savoie holding on for a placing. The two-time winner led from the barriers, but wasn’t good enough to withstand a late charge from Extra Brut as jockey John Allen burst through the middle to dive late at the line.
“We had a sticky gate, but we were able to get around three-wide no cover” Allen told Racing.com following the win.
Running a time of 1:48.47, barrier 2 was always a handy draw for the colt out of Doomsday, and Allen feels Extra Brut has the right attitude necessary to win races.
“He’s just got a great racing attitude and he switches off beautifully, he’s no worries at 1800 today.”
Already among the 97 nominations for the Derby on November 3, Weir’s lightly raced winner has now won in three of his four starts.
“I thought both horses ran really well, he was very strong late Extra Brut, we ummed and arred what to do from the barrier but in the end I was a bit keen to ride him a bit quieter,” Weir said on Saturday.
“He (John Allen) got him into a lovely spot three-wide with cover and he just traveled up, love the way he stretched out late.”
While Savouie struggled to maintain pace in the final 200m, he’s still managed to firm into $13.00 himself ahead of the Derby on the second line of betting. Extra Brut, meanwhile, has moved from $15 into $6.00 as the race-favourite.
“Ten furlongs for sure,” Weir said when asked about a potential Group 1 debut.
“I’m not sure about 2500, I don’t think many people know about that, but definitely ten furlongs.
“He was great through the line and I guess if you drew a gate, you relax, you switch off, why couldn’t he run a trip?.”
Full Victoria Derby odds can be seen below.