Bede Murray will resist the temptation to go for the VRC Derby after promising colt Darci Be Good landed the$175,000 Group Three MGA Insurance Brokers Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The son of Darci Brahma (NZ) won the Listed Fernhill Handicap as a two-year-old, showing signs that he would get over a bit of ground and Wednesday's victory only cemented that feeling for connections.
Nevertheless, Murray is looking at a long term autumn goal with the colt as opposed to going for the 2500m of the VRC Derby with only a handful of starts under his belt.
“He will definitely go to the Spring Champion Stakes and then he will have a break,” Murray said.
“He will definitely be a beautiful autumn horse and our plan was always to do it this way, go to the Spring Champion and then rest.
“They said what about the Victoria Derby and I said no.”
Ridden by Glen Boss, Darci Be Good settled outside race leader Just The Tonic with Rekindled Alliance on Boss's back.
Boss edged close to Just The Tonic rounding the turn and then asked for his best effort as the field past the 300m.
Boss knew his galloper could keep going and threw down the challenge; Rekindled Alliance responded but despite Brown throwing everything at him he was unable to overhaul Darci Be Good.
At the line the margin was a neck with three quarters of a length to Ambidexter in third. The overall time was 1.36.61 with the last 600m run in 36.06.
“I spoke to glen and he said if the pace wasn't hot he would dictate and that is what he did, he followed the lead and controlled the tempo,” Murray said.
“He is very strong at the finish and I think the further he goes the better he is going to be.”
Boss had a similar opinion after returning to scale on what will likely be his Spring Champion Stakes mount.
“Watching this horse race, he really stays on, you know,” Boss said. “He is like a real on pace, fast, staying type to me.
“I really wanted to make the race a truly run race. Chrissy (Munce) went along at a pretty good clip and I took over at the top of the straight because I wanted my horse to get fully wound up well and truly at the 300m mark because I just knew he would stick on.
“Corey's horse is a magnificent horse but I just think he lacks a bit of maturity, he went to beat me but my horse just stuck on and stuck on.
“He feels like he will run a mile and a quarter and beyond and will be strong in the autumn.”
