Winning Horse: Gundec (Aus)

3yoC Kermadec (NZ) - Sunup (Aus)(Fantastic Light (USA))

4 starts - 1 wins 1 second 1 fourth $54950

Other Placings

2nd Geelong John Spence Mdn Plate 1512m (2021)

Race Result:

1st: Gundec (C Williams/S Wilde) - $7

2nd: Sharper (J McNeil/M Templeton) - $61
3rd: Sebastian The Fox (J Fry/S Keating) - $81

Winning Time: 1:51.31 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: ¾L x 1¼L

Winning Trainer: Symon Wilde

“That’s what we bought him for (the Derby) so it is great to get that done today. I think he’s in now so we can make preparations and plans solely around the Derby.

“He took a long time to get past that horse so that may indicate the further the better. Craig had to give him a little shove out of the gates and he relaxed beautifully after that. 2500 metres is going to be right up his alley.

“He might have had a bit of luck with the skirmish behind him, but that’s the advantage of having that tactical speed. You can get out of that sort of trouble and I’m rapt his in, actually. I think he’ll be a really good chance.”

Will be his first Derby runner: “A good team of loyal clients backed us in. We thought we’d found a Derby colt. The owners were good enough to sell him to us and they’re still in the ownership as well.

“Hopefully it will be a good ride from hereon in.”

Next: “I think the race coming up here in two weeks, the Super Impose. 1800 metres again, that’s the sort of race that we’ll probably look at. I haven’t thought too much past today, actually.”

Tralee Rose last Saturday: “Really well. She came through it with flying colours. I think back to Flemington and back in distance, I couldn’t be happier with her and she’s right on target.”

Winning Jockey: Craig Williams

“Symon Wilde and his stable introduced me to this horse one morning after coming down to do a couple of gallops and he was one of them.

“We looked at his profile from Sydney as a two-year-old and a couple of horses that my manager and I earmarked looking at the Derby from later in the spring actually came out of the same race so it has been a great investment by Symon and his clients.

“You can see today they were rewarded with their decision to not go to the maiden last Friday at Geelong to come here today and win this race.

“It really sets him up nicely. I like the way he has visually come on in his looks from his first-up run and even the way he has tightened up.

“Symon says that he’s a big tough colt and they throw a lot of work at him. I quip that I think he’s running off to McDonald’s when you’re not looking because he looks like he’s got a bit to work with which is really exciting.

“He’s in the right care for a staying type of horse and I’m really looking to the journey ahead with him and I think he can come on from today’s experience having his second run here in Victoria.

“I liked it when he came under full pressure and really lengthened and toughed it out. He’s got a bit more to come from today’s performance, I felt.”