The lone filly Aeliana ($2.25) has cruised to victory in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, taking on the boys to claim her maiden Group 1 success.
The daughter of Castelvecchio hasn’t had much luck in her quest for Group 1 glory in the past, chasing home the colt & geldings in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 22 last time out, hitting the line well to suggest the 2400m would be no issues on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained filly mapped to get the run of the race under Damien Lane from barrier two, and that’s exactly what eventuated, with the pair surging into the one-one after jumping evenly.
Plymouth ($9.50) was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers and was quick to take up the running from barrier three under Mark Zahra, while Mustang Morgan () was able sit to his outside despite crossing from stall 10.
It allowed Lane to get the one-out one-back, while Zac Lloyd and King Of Thunder () utilised the inside draw (1) to hold the rails at the first turn.
The second elect, Willydoit (), didn’t have much luck in the middle stages, forced to sit wide without cover as Michael Dee continued to slowly build into the race approaching the home turn.
Lane oozed confidence as he allowed Aeliana to stride to the top in the final 400m, and as she hit the front, her rivals were simply left playing for second as she was off-and-gone for the prize.
Firm Agreement ($23) and Shanwah ($9.50) finished off well to claim the minor prizes; however, it was all about Aeliana as she stormed clear by the better part of five lengths in the 2025 Australian Derby.
Chris Waller was emotional as he spoke post-race.
“It was a great performance and all credit to her,” said Waller.
“She’s had a couple of near misses in Group Ones but she’s got her own, and she’s got it in good style.
“We’ve got some good fillies in the fillies’ races, so it just seemed logical. But when she was brave in the Randwick Guineas, the Rosehill Guineas she got beaten a whisker by Broadsiding who is a very, very good three-year-old colt, and she’s done it herself today.
“She’s a great filly, she deserved it. She was beaten a nose in the Thousand Guineas, beaten a nose by Broadsiding in the Rosehill Guineas, just two career-making wins. It wasn’t becoming frustrating but she deserved it.
“My job is to look after her. It would be unlikely that she would back up. But, wow, I can’t wait for what’s the next chapter because she’s a rising star.”
Damien Lane was ultra-impressed with the performance as he spoke post-race.
“She was extraordinary,” said Lane.
“She left the barriers well, just travelled great from the outset and felt a winner a long way out.
“I’m not riding in the best form of my life, I’ve ridden well for a long time. You just slowly build up to these opportunities. The cattle, doesn’t matter how good you ride, if you don’t have the horse underneath you, you can’t produce.
“It’s just been a really good progression the last five, six years of my career. I’ve been able to ride for bigger stables, get on better horses and get some really good opportunities.
“This year has probably been as good a season as I’ve had. So really rewarding for hard work and just riding well consistently.”
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