The disappointment of missing a Melbourne Cup run with Durston was eased for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Michael Dee when the Almanzor (FR) colt Manzoice stormed to victory in the $2,000,000 Group 1 Penfolds Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
A troubled eighth behind Sharp 'n' Smart in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick, Manzoice had the Graeme & Deborah Rogerson in his sights in the final 100m of the classic.
Giving Chris Waller a second win in the race after Preferment in 2014, Manzoice defeated Sharp 'n' Smart (Redwood) by a half-length with a further one-and-a-quarter length back to the outsider Aberfeldie Boy (So You Think) a fast-finishing third.
Stable representative Charlie Duckworth said Manzoice was overdue for a change of luck.
“Terrific performance from the horse and it’s been the plan all the way through, and things haven’t gone his way with wide draws and wet tracks, but we’ve stuck solid with the plan that we set out to do,” Duckworth said.
“Beautiful ride from Micky Dee. It was obviously looking like he was going to be a bit unlucky on the turn, but he kept persevering, trying to get out and he knuckled down really well in the last 100 metres.
“He’s a horse who I think will improve more with racing. He’s still a bit doughy mentally and doesn’t really know what he’s all there for, which is why we’ve got the winkers on which was the exact same gear that Preferment wore when he won the Derby for Chris a few years ago. Maybe it is the magic winkers that got the job done today.
“Terrific for the Flannery’s who own the horse and who stepped into ownership in the last couple of years. They’ve been loyal to us and been investing a good sum of money.
“Obviously, there’s a Derby in different states, but this is the first one, and it’s Derby Day - the race day is named after the race. It’s the feature, it’s the grand final and to pull it off is quite remarkable really.”
Michael Dee said it had been an amazing few weeks after teaming up with Chris Waller to win the Caulfield Cup on Durston (GB).
“It’s unbelievable. I really have to thank Chris Waller and his team. Once again, he’s presented this horse here in tip-top shape,” Dee said.
“Walking around the yard, I thought he’s certainly a Derby horse. He’s just so calm, got such a big stride on him, and it all panned out. He was very strong.
“I was very happy early and then the tempo came out of the race and it just got a bit tricky from the mile onwards when we were getting pushed around by horses inside and out.
“We were just starting to edge toward the outside, and he really let down strong when we got into the clear.
“He’s a big strong horse, and he was able to buffet his way out and I always was confident he was going to be strong the last furlong too.
“If you said to me before this spring that I’d have two major Group 1s coming up, I’d probably laugh. It is pretty surreal, and hopefully, it can continue.”
A son of Cambridge Stud’s triple Group 1 winner Almanzor (FR), Manzoice was consigned by Bhima Stud to the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock had the final say at $340,000.
Bred by Stephanie Hole, Manzoice is the second winner from as many to race out of Group III Eulogy stakes winner Choice.
The daughter of Mastercraftsman (IRE) has a yearling filly by Too Darn Hot (GB) and was covered by Almanzor (FR) again last spring.
Manzoice is the sixth stakes winner and first Group 1 winner for Almanzor (FR).
