Manzoice pulls out the time-honored Victoria Derby – and the Chris Waller stable says they’ll be drinking plenty of Penfolds to celebrate the famous win
The three-year-old colt Manzoice has eliminated the Victorian Derby of Group 1
Piloted by veteran jockey Michael Dee, the Waller runner had a flying finish
A rep from the stable said they would enjoy a few drinks to celebrate
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Manzoice won the long-standing $2 million Victoria Derby in Flemington on Saturday afternoon after a stunning final furlong.
Top hoop Michael Dee piloted Chris Waller’s three-year-old colt home with a handy $21 (TAB.com.au) shot with a devastating twist of his foot, winning himself the Caulfield Cup-Victoria Derby Derby double.
With the well-supported Sharp ‘n’ Smart appearing to have stitched up the Derby, Dee ran the favorite into the shadow of the post to win by a lead, with huge outsider Aberfeldie Boy finishing third for the whopping $$ place prize. 15 .
It was a stunning finish to the race that looked set to become yet another Group 1 winner for top Australian jockey James McDonald, but Dee was confident his horse would make it through the line.
Michael Dee holds up the Victoria Derby trophy after Manzoice win
Manzoice takes on the Group 1 Victoria Derby in Flemington with Dee on board
“If you had told me before this spring that I would have won two big races in Group 1, I would probably have laughed. It’s pretty surreal and hopefully it can continue,” a beaming Dee told Channel 10 after the race.
“Luckily they had a decent pace up front, but gradually he was able to build, lengthen, accelerate to the other side of the street. His stamina really kicked in just as the others were feeling the squeeze. He could leave it.
‘It’s unbelievable. I really have to think about Chris Waller and his team. Again, he’s presented this horse here in tip-top shape…he’s tough.
“Walking around the yard, I thought he was definitely a Derby horse. He’s just so calm, he’s got such a big stride on him, and when it came down to it, very strong,” Dee said.
Manzoice flies home down the straight to win the Derby in the shadow of the post
A representative of the Waller stable was as emotional as the man himself usually is after a big win, and praised Dee’s great ride – and the young horse’s toughness.
‘A great performance from the horse. It’s been the whole plan and things haven’t gone as planned from wide drawers and wet ruts, but we stuck to the plan we wanted to do and a beautiful ride through Micky Dee,” the stable rep said.
The Group 1 race is supported by famed Aussie winemaker Penfolds, and the stable rep laughed that they would enjoy a fair share of the product to celebrate.
Michael Dee greets the crowd after winning the Victoria Derby in Flemington
“It’s the hallmark, it’s the grand finale, and so to pull it off is actually quite remarkable. Clearly a great sponsor in Penfolds. I’d say we might get drunk tonight,” said the gleeful representative of one of Australia’s top trainers, Waller.
This is no doubt just the start of a long, successful career with the still raw foal, and commentators raved about his post-race potential and toughness.
“Sometimes we get quiet run derbies because they worry about running the distance. This was a brisk gallop and all the way to the end… (and) Micky Dee drives fantastic,” said Channel 10’s callers.
The 2500m Group 1 race has an incredible list of winners in its 167-year history – and Manzoice is just the latest in that illustrious group.