Racing: Derby victory rewards faith Spring Carnival

Mike Moroney's faith in Monaco Consul was rewarded yesterday when the colt produced a superior staying performance to win the Victoria Derby at Flemington.

Moroney won the 1997 Derby with Second Coming but followed a path based on a European preparation with Monaco Consul who had not raced since October 3 when he won the Spring Champion Stakes in Sydney.

The 2500m of the Victoria Derby is regarded as the toughest test for early 3-year-olds but Monaco Consul made it look simple when he ranged up and went past Extra Zero to beat him by a length.

It was also the first major win of the Melbourne Cup carnival for Corey Brown who has ridden many placegetters in the big races.

"We trained him in the English style and sent him out with a pacemaker a few times and it worked," Moroney said. "We knew our horse and were helped a lot by my brother Paul who spent time in England watching the stayers there.

"He hadn't raced for a month but he has had some very good gallops and eats really well.

"He has such a good turn of foot and when Corey went for him he put it beyond doubt."

Paul Moroney looks after the New Zealand arm of the Moroney stable where Monaco Consul began his career with four starts resulting in a win and a second.

His win in the Spring Champion surprised punters who sent him out at A$51 on the heavy track. Moroney thought so highly of Monaco Consul he kept him in the Cox Plate until the final acceptances. The race was won by another son of High Chaparral, So You Think.

Following yesterday morning's shock scratching of the favourite Shamoline Warrior, Rockferry assumed top billing at A$4.20 with Monaco Consul sent out at A$4.80.

Brown had been offered the ride on Monaco Consul in the Spring Champion but was already committed. He jumped at the chance when the offer came again and was thrilled with the result.

"It's unreal to finally get one of these big races at this carnival after coming so close so many times," he said.

Brown's closest finish was aboard Bauer in last year's Melbourne Cup when he just failed to catch Viewed by a nose.

Viking Legend and Extra Zero loomed up to win but Monaco Consul proved too strong.

Viking Legend held on for third, 2 lengths from Extra Zero with Southern Skye fourth and Rockferry fifth.

Extra Zero's trainer David Hayes praised the ride of Nash Rawiller but conceded his horse was beaten by a better one on the day.

Former Cox Plate prospect Typhoon Tracy unleashed the full force of her power to blow away the opposition in the Group One Myer Classic.

On a day to remember for trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen, the 4-year-old mare handed out the biggest thrashing of Derby Day to bring up her seventh win in 10 starts.

A Group One winner of the Coolmore Classic in March, Typhoon Tracy blew away her opposition in the straight to win by 4 lengths from Lady Lynette and Zarita.

Moody and Nolen earlier won the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes with 3-year-old filly Headway.

- AAP