Gary Portelli may be chasing the Victoria Derby dream with this impressive winner at Scone on Friday that is the half-brother to a Hong Kong Derby winner.
One of 38 entries still in Victoria Derby contention, three year old Maurice (Jpn) gelding Clyde was favourite for the Benchmark 58 event over 2200m and won in the style you would have been hoping for.
A maiden winner at Newcastle three starts back, Clyde was outclassed at his most recent outing when tenth in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes behind Profondo.
He was taken back in that race after jumping for a wide gate, but for this assignment was allowed to cruise forward from barrier one to settle third in the fence. From that point it was all too easy and he powered clear to win by nearly two lengths.
Clyde was passed in at Inglis Easter and retained to race by his breeders Glenn and Lisa Morton and has already banked over $70,000 with two wins from seven starts.
Clyde is a half-brother to Hong Kong Derby winner Ping Hai Star and Group II winner Neo being the sixth winner from terrific producer Vicky, a three-quarter sister-in-blood by Encosta de Lago to Group I winner and sire Delago Brom.
The Morton’s got a better sale ring result with Clyde’s yearling full brother who made $330,000 at Magic Millions this year and Vicky has foaled again this spring producing a filly by Shalaa (IRE).
Already the sire of a Group I winner in Japan, Maurice has made a great start to his stud career in Australia and is the leading second crop sire this season by winners with 12 on the board!
He is back at Arrowfield this spring at a fee of $44,000.
