Punters were treated to a good old-fashioned boil-over on Saturday with Chris Waller’s $18 roughie Manzoice taking out the Group 1 Victoria Derby.
The time-honoured staying feature attracted a quality field of three-year-olds over 2500m, but it was the son of Almanzor, a three-time Group 1 winner in France, who greeted the judge first.
With rain falling, all eyes were on the favourite Sharp N Smart, who appeared to be home for all money along the fence until Michael Dee and Manzoice wore him down out wide.
Like a few others, Waller’s colt was on a quick backup after finishing 4.5 lengths off Sharp N Smart in last week’s Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick. The extra 500m proved the difference on Saturday, alongside a much more patient ride from Michael Dee.
Manzoice won his maiden only narrowly at Rosehill back in August and was beaten nearly nine lengths in the Ming Dynasty at Rosehill a month later.
He rebounded nicely to run a place back to BM72 grade in his next start but seemed to lack the class to win at Group 1 level – explaining Saturday’s price on offer.
Aberfeldie Boy was the surprise place-getter running on for third, while Mr Maestro weakened late for fourth.
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