Premier Victorian trainer Darren Weir enjoyed a blinder on Caulfield Cup Day 2017, Ulmann taking the horseman’s record to four wins from the meeting’s opening six starts taking out the Group 3 $150,000 Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes (1400m).

2017 Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes winner Ulmann is Perth bound this summer. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Just one race after Kiwia took out the Coongy Cup, Weir was back in the winners’ circle combing again with jockey Damian Lane in the Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes won in an upset by $9.50 shot Ulmann second-up.

The six-year-old son of Sebring improved on a first-up sixth when under three lengths off the winner Keen Array down the Flemington straight in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m).

Fitter for the run and better suited to the 1400m at Caulfield, Ulmann posted his first win since the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool in early May.

The galloper enjoyed the sting out of the ground, provided by a brief pre-race shower, and was ridden to perfection by Lane who had the horse settled off the speed poised to run down the tiring leaders late.

The better fancied stablemate Burning Front jumped quickly and settled second behind the early leader Savile Row, while Ulmann was tracking fourth on the inside.

In a mid-race move, champion hoop Damien Oliver came right around the outside of the field on Reset four-year-old Echo Effect to take control in the lead.

Echo Effect led into the turn, but the Brad Rawiller-ridden Primus seven-year-old Burning Front quickly joined in giving a kick at the 200m and looking the winner.

Ulmann ($9.50) though came to spoil the show, coming hard down the outside to beat Burning Front ($6) in the Weir-trained quinella, while Echo Effect ($12) held for third.

Lane brought the eventual Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes winner Ulmann into the race at the perfect time, presenting his mount as Echo Effect was easing and tiring up front.

Too good late, Ulmann made the most of the good gate and the hot tempo suited.

“He ran really well first-up down the straight [at Flemington] and then again today,” Lane said post-win.

“He is [very consistent]. He’s a horse that has continued to improve throughout the preparation on Monday he put in his best work he has this time in giving me confidence for today.

“The race was really run to suit.

“I tracked onto his [Burning Front’s] back on the corner.

“Not many get past Burning Front, he’s an iron horse, but he [Ulmann] was good enough to do it so it was a great effort.”

Weir confirmed plans for one more Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival run before heading west to chase the riches on offer during the Perth Summer Racing Carnival, most likely including the Group 1 $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) over the Ascot mile on November 25.

“He is a good horse…I thought he’d need another run to be honest,” Weir said.

“With Ulmann, one of the main owners in him is from Perth and this whole preparation’s been aimed for the Perth Carnival.

“So, he’ll have another run around here then head across to Perth.”

To access the best Perth racing odds online for Ulmann over the summer, head to our preferred online sportsbook Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Caulfield Race 6 – 21/10/2017