The genius of Chris Waller saw Manzoice and this season’s Caulfield Cup winning jockey Michael Dee combine on the quick back-up heading south to turn the tables on Sharp ‘N’ Smart in an upset 2022 Victoria Derby result.
Manzoice was 4.5 lengths beaten when eighth in last weekend’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney, but the Almanzor colt relished the extra ground and spacious Flemington track to power home and take out the time-honoured Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m).
Manzoice was huge turning the tables on his conqueror in the Spring Champion to win Flemington’s 2022 VRC Derby. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
“Once again Chris has show what a star he is at travelling these horses,” the stable’s Melbourne representative Jo Taylor told Racing.com after the win.
“Chris was confident that this trip wouldn’t be a problem.
“Mickey (Dee) just rode him terrific. He’s riding with so much confidence.
“It’s well deserved.”
Dee continued his outstanding spring securing another big Group 1 success, while Waller posted his 142nd elite level win as a trainer with the boilover in the 169th edition of the VRC Derby.
Dee gave the eventual winner an absolute peach of a ride, settled well in the second half of the field as Foujita San led them around keen out to a big lead.
The favourite, Graeme Rogerson’s Spring Champion winner chasing the double, Sharp ‘N’ Smart dropped into the fence running fourth the rails in a forward position.
Sharp ‘N’ Smart got out on the far side with 400m to go, while Andrew Forsman’s Kiwi galloper coming off three lead-up wins on the trot, Mr Maestro, was unleashing out wider.
Coming with him was Dee having timed his run to perfection aboard the underrated Manzoice.
It looked like another win for the season’s best jockey, James McDonald, who hit the front 100m out on Sharp ‘N’ Smart ($2.90F) before being run down the closing stages.
The beaten favourite was brave holding for second after tiring late, but all honours went to Manzoice ($21) who was excellent up over 2500m peaking on Grand Final day.
Emergency runner, So You Think colt Aberfeldie Boy off a Geelong Classic fourth, was also huge getting up for third to round out the Victoria Derby trifecta at 100/1 just ahead of Mr Maestro who was good again in his fast finishing fourth.
2022 Victoria Derby Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | MANZOICE | Chris Waller | Michael Dee | 7 | 57kg | $21 | |||
| 2 | 1 | SHARP ’N’ SMART (NZ) | Graeme & Deborah Rogerson | James McDonald | 0.5L | 3 | 57kg | $2.90F | ||
| 3 | 17e | ABERFELDIE BOY | Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock | Ben Melham | 1.75L | 2 | 57kg | $101 | ||
| 4 | 4 | MR MAESTRO (NZ) | Andrew Forsman | Damian Lane | 2.75L | 16 | 57kg | $9 | ||
| 5 | 10 | MURAMASA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 3.5L | 4 | 57kg | $19 | ||
| 6 | 2 | BERKELEY SQUARE | Dan O’Sullivan | Craig Williams | 3.6L | 5 | 57kg | $3.30 | ||
| 7 | 12 | BERARDINO | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Damien Oliver | 3.7L | 9 | 57kg | $51 | ||
| 8 | 5 | PERICLES | James Cummings | William Buick | 4.45L | 6 | 57kg | $8 | ||
| 9 | 6 | GRAND PIERRO | Jason Warren | Mark Zahra | 5.7L | 14 | 57kg | $31 | ||
| 10 | 11 | FEARLESS KNIGHT | Kacy Fogden | Brett Prebble | 8.7L | 10 | 57kg | $101 | ||
| 11 | 15 | KING’S CROSSING (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | John Allen | 8.9L | 15 | 57kg | $41 | ||
| 12 | 9 | SKYPHIOS | Rob Blacker | Harry Coffey | 9.9L | 13 | 57kg | $61 | ||
| 13 | 8 | FOUJITA SAN | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Jye McNeil | 10L | 8 | 57kg | $26 | ||
| 14 | 14 | HIGHLAND BLAZE | Jackson Pallot | Liam Riordan | 11.75L | 12 | 57kg | $201 | ||
| 15 | 16 | LEHNDORFF | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 12.5L | 1 | 57kg | $81 | ||
| 16 | 13 | DISTRUSTFUL AWARD | Paul Preusker | Dean Yendall | 16.25L | 11 | 57kg | $41 | ||
| 3 | LET’SROLLTHEDICE | Danny O’Brien | Ben Melham | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
