Ace High wins Victoria Derby as Gai Waterhouse’s Cismontane seals Melbourne Cup place
Trainer David Payne tweeted 'He's done it! We are so proud of Ace High' winning the 2017 Victorian Derby at Flemington. Photo: AAP
Sydney colt Ace High has confirmed his rating as a young stayer on the rise with a powerful win in the $1.5 million Victoria Derby.
After claiming the Spring Champion Stakes last month, Ace High ($7) came from midfield to win one of Australia’s oldest turf Classics.
Sully ($7.50) and Astoria ($8) filled the minor placings.
Meanwhile, Gai Waterhouse will have a runner she believes can stem the European tide in the Melbourne Cup with Cismontane sealing his place with victory in the Lexus Stakes at Flemington.
Saturday’s Lexus over 2500 metres, three days before the Cup, is the last chance to earn a guaranteed berth and Cismontane’s staying credentials were truly tested with Stephen Baster sending him straight to the front.
He set up a strong tempo and just when it looked as if he would be swamped, the five-year-old kept going to the line to dent the Cup dreams of connections of Vengeur Masque who finished a short neck second with Pentathlon, who briefly looked the winner, another short head third.
“It’s so exciting,” Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, said.
“He will go to the Cup. That’s been the plan all along.”
Waterhouse won the Cup (3200m) four years ago with the imported Fiorente but Cismontane is a throwback to the colonial breed by shuttle stallion High Chaparral out of New Zealand mare Viviane.
ON A HIGH! ACE HIGH blitzes them in the Victoria Derby. pic.twitter.com/AE8ZReYEiI
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 4, 2017
Levendi won the day’s first race at Flemington — the 1600 Carbine Club Stakes. The three-year-old colt won from Sambro and Irish Vega.
More than 90,000 people were expected to attend Flemington on Saturday as Derby Day kicks off the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
In the Group Three Skip Sprint, Lyuba graduated to stakes company with a narrow victory. The $2000 yearling purchase took her prize money past the $400,000 mark with the win over 1100m.
Ridden by Damian Lane, Lyuba ($7) scored a short-half-head win over Savanna Amour ($12) with Concealer ($12) the same margin away third.
Trainer Darren Weir said he snapped up the now five-year-old after noticing her at a 2014 Victorian yearling sale.
“I was … poking around out the back and she caught my eye,” he said.
“I didn’t take much notice of the pedigree and I bought her for $2000.
“This is one of the better stories. Don’t worry, I buy a lot for $2000 that are no good.”
