Tarzino produced an outstanding staying performance to record a comfortable victory in the 2015 Victoria Derby at Flemington this afternoon.
Tarzino outstayed his rivals to take out the 2015 edition of the Victoria Derby. Photo by: Steve Hart
Jockey Craig Newitt opted to ride Tarzino more aggressively in the early stages of the Victoria Derby and he was settled three pairs back, but he looked as though he was over racing.
There was were a number of moves made in the final 1000 metres of the race and Iron Boss took up the running at the 600 metre mark, but Newitt was able to find clear running for Tarzino at the top of the straight.
Tarzino hit the front at the 350 metre mark and he looked as though he could have been a sitting duck, but he stayed on strongly in the final stages to record an impressive win from Etymology and Kia Ora Koutou.
Newitt was under a lot of pressure heading into the Victoria Derby and his only ride was on Tarzino, but the emotional hoop was clearly thrilled to record what he believes is one of the biggest wins of his riding career to date.
“He is outstanding,” Newitt said.
“He is just an out and out star, he has class written all over him and he just gave me the perfect ride today.
“Me and Mick have had criticism with the way we have been riding him, but he is not a push button horse to ride.
“He put himself in the right spot today and when we got to the top of the straight I had a lap full of horse.
“I’m sure Mick will be emotional and I am just really sad that the old man couldn’t be here today.
“I’ve won a Darley Classic before, but to win the big staying race, especially for Mick, I am tickled pink.”
Mick Price has gone close without winning in the Victoria Derby throughout his training career and he was clearly relived that Tarzino had been able to get the job done in the 2015 edition of the race.
Price said that the race basically went exactly to plan with Tarzino and he revealed that he is confident the three-year-old can develop into a genuine contender at weight-for-age level in the autumn.
“It panned out pretty good,” Price said.
“I was a little bit nervous because he pulled in the first half mile, but it was good for Craig and he always wanted to get off heals and get in clear running at the top of the straight.
“At the top of the straight he was the one that you wanted to be on, but he hit the front too early, so it was a long way up that straight.
“I was looking for the post, but he was just in too strong.
“I think that he is a really good horse with a lot of capacity too him.
“He can go to the paddock and I think he is going to make a weight-for-age horse in the autumn.
“He will have a light autumn and then make a good four-year-old.”
You can still score the best 2015 Victoria Derby Day odds with Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20 on every single race at Flemington this afternoon.
