By Adam Hamilton
THIS Victoria Derby has it all.
There have been some great chapters in the historic race and it’s been won by so many champion horses, but as contest this Derby is a gem.
Yes, I know, Chase Auckland isn’t here, but don’t let that take away from what shapes as a truly epic final at Melton next Saturday night.
You’ve got the fairytale story in Lumineer. Unbeaten in eight runs and trained in the “sticks” by a hobbyist in Ange McDowall.
Then you’ve got the explosive Poster Boy, the best of the powerhouse Emma Stewart-trained finalists and fresh off a privately-timed 25.9sec last quarter to win his heat.
And then there are the All Stars’ with Spankem arrogantly winning a heat and The Devils Own getting through with a tough third to Poster Boy in the first heat.
You also can sell Queensland raider Colt Thirty One short and Poster Boy’s lightly-raced stablemate Maraetai looks such an exciting prospect.
Lumineer kept his unbeaten record intact when he blasted out from gate four to lead, kept rolling along and ran the quickest of the three heats in a 1min56sec mile rate to win seemingly with lots left in the tank.
He beat Maraetai, who sat parked for the last 1000m, by three metres and they ripped home in 55.3 and 27.7sec.
McDowall said Lumineer seemed above himself and she was glad he had a strong hitout.
“He was off his nut tonight. It’s not like him. He’s above himself, but he still did it well after being rushed off the gate for the first time since he won that Australian Gold final (last April),” she said.
“I was really impressed with Poster Boy and Spankem won really easily as well. Next week is going to be a big challenge.”
Spankem went the second quickest of the night after leading in the second heat, stacking them up with a 63sec middle split them ripping home in 55.4 and 27.4sec to beat Code Bailey and The Brooklyn Brawler in comfortable style.
Poster Boy defied the trend of the night and sprinted home from off a slow tempo to rundown leader, Colt Thirty One, and win the opening heat in a slow 1min58.5sec mile rate.
Despite Colt Thirty One posting a 26.6sec last quarter, Poster Boy gave him a few lengths start and gunned him down to win by a half-head.
The Devils Own worked midrace and fought on well for third, just 2.1m from the winner.
While Lumineer remains prepost Derby favouritem the gap has closed with Poster Boy and Spankem right on his heels.
Tuesday’s barrier draw will very likely decide favouritism.
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