The Victoria Derby dream is alive tonight for the connections of this impressive staying maiden winner at Ballarat on Sunday.
Trained on the track by Simon Morrish, Crackerjack King (IRE) gelding Shadow Prey signalled his Derby potential when finishing third at his second start back in July at Flemington over 1800m behind highly rated colt Alycone.
Stepped up to 2000m for his second run back from a short break, Shadow Prey was sent out a hot favourite and delivered the goods for punters.
He relished the longer trip to power clear and win by two and a quarter lengths at his fourth start.
A homebred for Wyndholm Park, who stand his sire Crackerjack King, Shadow Prey is the first winner for High Chaparral (IRE) mare Lady Brave, a daughter of Group I Queensland Oaks runner up Rathsallagh, so he has the pedigree to suggest Derby.
Shadow Prey is the sixth winner from small numbers sired by Shamardal’s Group I winning son Crackerjack King, who stands at a fee of $6,600.