Prized Icon and Glyn Schofield won the $1.5m, Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday to create history for trainer James Cummings in a race won by his grandfather Bart five times and his great-grandfather Jim once back in 1948.
The win was dominant with Schofield presenting Prized Icon, already a Group 1 winner of the ATC Champagne Stakes over 1600m, at the top of the main straight after racing in mid-field down the back straight.
Morvada had led to the 600m at a good clip but he faded as the pressure went on as the field started the long sweep of the turn for the main straight again. Swear and Tommy Berry took over with Sacred Elixir (NZ) and Zac Purton outside. Hollywood Mo and Stephen Baster were next and then Schofield and Prized Icon the widest of all.
They were line abreast until the 300m when Schofield sent Prized Icon forward again. Swear, Sacred Elixer and Hollywood Mo tried to counter, but Prized Icon was gone and off to the line with the margin opening with each stride.
Schofield was able to celebrate at the line on Prized Icon well clear with a margin of 2 1/2L over the $2.80 favourite Sacred Elixir (Pour Moi) and Inference (So You Think) and Dwayne Dunn coming through for third, the margin 1 1/4L.
So Si Bon was fourth with Swear fifth. The time was 2.36.16 on the Good 3 track and the final 600m in 35.66. Prize Icon paid $18.00 on fixed odds and $17.20 on the tote.
“I just had a lovely run throughout the race, but prior to getting into the race we had a few anxious moments to see if we were going to take our spot or not. James and the team made the right decision ultimately and he was pretty dominant today,” said Schofield.
“It all works out brilliantly unless you win. This is a very sweet victory and credit to James and his team for producing the horse in peak performance.
“He caught me a little bit by surprise last week when he did not show any turn of speed around those tight corners. I just said to James to not worry when he gets to the big open track he will show that turn of speed.
“When I go onto the back to Sacred Elixir through the 600/700m and he was starting to make his move I was not really travelling all that well. Until I showed him the outside of the horses and I probably got there a tad too soon as he idled a little when he got in front. But he had a little in the tank.
“With Chad here it has made it extra special,” he said.
“I get a lot of confidence from the fact that my great-grandfather was training horses in 1911, so there is over 100 years of horse racing excellence in the family and that knowledge gives us confidence,” said Cummings.
“Then it wanes and there are times like at Moonee Valley but this man right here (Schofield) gave me confidence to back this horse up. He convinced me that the horse never got enough peace. There were times when we doubted running him, but the thing about these horses is that when you concentrate on your horse and run your own race as they say, it can be rewarding.
“It is no fluke that he is here. It has been out plan for a long time and everyone at Gooree who breed these tough horses that can pull off this sort of race can be very proud of days like today and so they should be,” he said.
Thoroughbrednews.com.au
Picture: Dailytelegraph.com.au
